Consensus are finalists in 5 categories at the LD & Autism Awards 2021
Consensus are delighted to be shortlisted as finalists in 5 categories at this year’s National Learning Disability and Autism Awards, which aims to celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities.
The Gala Awards evening, which is taking place on the 29th of October in Birmingham, offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes of individuals, teams and businesses throughout the UK – people who really do make a positive impact on people’s lives.
There are a total of 17 award categories available for nomination, which represent all areas of care for people with learning disabilities and autism within the care sector, whether it be young or older people, supporting people in their own homes, the residential care sector or the voluntary sectors. From frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation.
Congratulations to our colleagues and teams across Consensus who have been shortlisted in the following categories…
1. The Learning Disability Nurse Award
This award acknowledges the important role that specialist nurses have in promoting the emotional, physical and psychological health of the people they support and where the role of specialist professionals has never been more important.
Our finalist is Liz Smith is Service Manager at The Gables, a learning disability service with nursing support for individuals with complex nursing needs, mental health needs and palliative care in Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Liz, who recently won the ‘Social Care Nurse Award’ in the East of England Regional finals of the Great British Care Awards 2020, has been nominated for this award for her highly skilled, innovative and person-centred approach in the delivery of care for the people she supports. An inspirational leader, Liz has been employed by Consensus for over 10 years and has always advocated for the people she supports, her values are exemplary.
2. The Employer Award – Consensus Support
This award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate an exceptional employer who is committed to their employees delivering an excellent service to people with learning disabilities or people with autism and their families. Employers should be able to provide considerable acumen and entrepreneurial flair and have a sustained track record of delivering high quality care and managing change improvement.
Consensus are proud to be finalists for this award that demonstrates our passion for supporting up to 667 individuals with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs, including Prader-Willi Syndrome and behaviours that challenge, in 95 residential, supported living and centre-based services across the UK.
Our commitment to our values and determination to continuously improve and deliver the highest quality care is reflected in our Quality strategy, which has been embedded within the organisation adopting inclusion and human rights at its heart. As a well-established provider of good quality care, we seek to… build on good practice within our services, continuously develop and implement training, invest in using the latest innovations and technology to support and develop the business, shape the design and build of our new developments as well as investing, adapting and evolving our services to meet the needs of the people we support. We go above and beyond to guarantee our supported individuals are supported in an environment that meets their needs, whilst ensuring our colleagues are recognised and rewarded for their continuous efforts too.
3. Employer of People with a Disability Award – Consensus Support
Presented to an organisation who employs and supports people with learning disabilities or autism demonstrating true values of respect, equality and accessibility for their employees.
Our finalists are Jackie Preston – our Best Practise and Operational Support Manager and our Quality Checkers
At Consensus, we employ some of our supported individuals with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs, as Quality Checkers who work alongside our Quality Audit team. They are paid employees of Consensus and are an important and integral part of our workforce. We want our team of Quality Checkers to be recognised for their hard work and efforts in ensuring the people we support are given a voice to share their views and talk to someone about how they are feeling about the service provided. Ultimately, they can observe and highlight things that others may not pick up on and provide vital feedback to ensure every individual living within one of our services is safe and happy.
4. Supporting People with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities Award
This award celebrates innovating and inspiring practice that achieves positive outcomes for people with PMLD and looks for evidence of how person-centred collaborative and creative support can have a profound impact on the lives of people with PLMD.
This nomination was put forward by non other than Pendle Gardens Service Manager, Adam Beswick. Pendle Gardens is a residential service located in Barrowford, Lancashire, providing specialist support and accommodation for people with learning disabilities, who have a range of different complex needs including autism, mental health issues and behaviours requiring specialist risk management approaches.
Adam felt his team deserved to be recognised for their dynamic working, positive risk taking and person-centred planning during the Coronavirus pandemic. Adam says, “Pendle opened during the pandemic. I could not be prouder of my team and how they have overcome the challenges that any new team faces, especially during a pandemic. We have successfully supported people to be discharged into the community following long stay hospital admissions and often seen as unable to live in the community. We have pushed the boundaries and limitations and are leading the way in which community support should be delivered.”
5. The Jim Mansell Award for Outstanding Contribution
Professor Jim Mansell spent 40 years helping to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and one of his key achievements was in 1983 where he founded the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent which is now one of the world’s leading research and study centres. This award will be presented to an individual who the judges think has made a long-term outstanding contribution to the lives of people with a learning disability and/or autism.
Nominated by Carol Corstin, Head of Learning and Organisational Development at Consensus, Eddie Morgan, CEO of Consensus has been nominated for this award for his outstanding contribution to the care sector, in which he has worked for over 20 years. Eddie works tirelessly to enable people living within the Consensus Services and their Support Teams have the best opportunities for fun and activity and also for development and progression.
Carol says, “Eddie achieved the role of CEO for Consensus just prior to the initial Coronavirus lockdown. When staffing the Services became difficult due to illness and isolation, he did no less than role up his sleeves and work alongside Support Workers to complete tasks that keep the people living within the Services safe, healthy and entertained.”
Competition within the sector is tough so it is a great achievement – we couldn’t be prouder of our 5 finalists. Organised by Care Talk, winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Dinner on 29th October. We wish the best of luck to all.
