The National Children and Young People Awards acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the outstanding care for children, young people and families and pay tribute to those individuals who excel in providing high quality care and support.
This year, we are pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted for a total of four awards, all down to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our individuals and teams across our schools, homes and fostering agencies.
Villa Farm
Villa Farm has been shortlisted for The Children’s Home Team Award, which recognises a team who are able to demonstrate a shared vision and goals, whilst demonstrating dedication and going above and beyond to provide the best possible care, as well as recognising each team member for their knowledge, skills and expertise.
Retaining an Outstanding Ofsted for 9 consecutive years, the submission stated: “Staff support the children to grow and thrive in an environment that is safe and comfortable, allowing them to move on in a most positive way into a safe family setting… The home encourages positive memories, it allows them to learn to trust again, the children thrive and grow and when they are ready they move forward into foster homes or return home if it is safe to do so. The staff are so proud of the children’s achievements.”
Villa Farm is an Ofsted registered children’s home for children aged 6-13 years old who have experienced developmental trauma and have social, emotional and mental health difficulties, as well as other complex needs.
Huge well done to the team at Villa Farm and good luck!
Aminah and Tauseef, both foster carers with NFA Midlands, have been shortlisted for the Foster Carer Award, which acknowledges dedicated carers who have demonstrated that in the most challenging circumstances, they have persevered to make a real difference to the child in their care, putting them at the heart of all that they do.
This particular submission was made by Nicola, Team Manager at NFA Midlands, for both Aminah and Tauseef’s commitment to a baby boy in their care who was admitted to hospital and was in a critical condition for many weeks, sadly having to be put into an induced coma.
With the exceptional support of Kelly, their Supervising Social Worker, both Aminah and Tauseef did not leave his bed side, illustrating their depth of compassion and kindness, whilst also caring for their two birth children and a foster child at the same time.
The baby boy was discharged from the hospital and will need ongoing treatment but he is thriving and happy.
They are truly incredible and inspirational for all they have done for him and couldn’t be more deserving of this award.
The hospital medical staff also made many commendable comments about the commitment and care from his foster carers and Kelly.
Huge well done and good luck.
Individual shortlisting’s
Chris Kirkbride at Underley Garden has been shortlisted for the Registered Manager and Education Award, nominated by Ann, Principal at Underley Garden for “his relentless focus on providing an outstanding quality of care for our very special young people, but also for the work he has done to ensure our staff have the support and guidance they need to continue the work that Underley is proud of. He also always does it with his own quirky sense of humour which ensures he and we all remain grounded when times are a little challenging.”
Kirsty Orton from Acorn Park School has been shortlisted for the Frontline Team Leader Award, recognising a member of the team who has shown dedication, hard work and excellence in frontline care and support for children, young people and families.
Nominated by Tyrone, Head of Care at Acorn Park, he said: “I nominated Kirsty for this award as she is a very efficient line manager, child centred within her practice as a house manager and very good in creating therapeutic approaches within the home she manages.”
The finalists will be announced at a Covid safe awards ceremony, hosted at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre as soon as Government restrictions are lifted.