Buckinghamshire Care Scoops National Award
Buckinghamshire’s leading social care provider has won a coveted national award following a recent ceremony.
Buckinghamshire Care – the Local Authority Trading Company for Buckinghamshire County Council attended The Accolades Awards, organised by Skills for Care, as a finalist in the ‘Best Recruitment Initiative’ category. It was later announced as the category winner.
The awards celebrate the achievements of organisations committed to boosting the skills and knowledge of the growing adult social care workforce.
Buckinghamshire Care has a number of innovative recruitment initiatives in place to attract people with the right skills and values in a sector that often faces challenges in appointing and retaining staff.
One of Buckinghamshire Care’s most notable successes is its apprenticeship programme, which specifically employs individuals, usually excluded from the employment market – those with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues. Apprenticeship opportunities have arisen in a range of different work areas, including, garden maintenance, catering, support work and administration.
Martin Farrow, Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Care, said: “Our organisation was founded on the principle of creating opportunities which make a positive impact, so we are absolutely delighted that we have won such a high profile award. We were in a very strong category alongside other organisations that are also embracing innovative recruitment strategies.
“For us to deliver award winning services means that we need to attract great people to join us, flourish and make a positive impact. The part recruitment plays is in this is crucial, as is raising awareness of the important part social care plays in society. Like most things, great things only happen when great people are inspired to make a difference, so I couldn’t be happier for our teams and our clients.”
The company enjoyed further success recently, when it claimed a national Laing Buisson Award for ‘Innovation’, recognising Buckinghamshire Care’s efforts to create paid employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. It also received national recognition when it won the EDF Energy Newcomer SME of the Year Award at the National Apprenticeship Awards, and joined the top 100 UK apprenticeship employer list in recognition of its commitment to developing young people through apprenticeships.
