Lifeways has been shortlisted for two LaingBuisson 2023 awards!

Lifeways are finalists in two categories in the LaingBuisson Awards 2023, which recognise excellence across health and social care delivered by the independent sector.

The awards, held every year, see dozens of independent sector providers compete across 28 categories. This year, Lifeways are finalists in the 'Public Private Partnership' and 'Excellence in Training' categories.

The Awards will be presented at a high-profile ceremony which takes place on Thursday 16 November 2023 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, where finalists will find out if they have won.

Health and social care providers this year faced stiff competition, with organizers receiving over 400 award entries.

Here’s more detail on the two categories Lifeways are finalists in:

‘Innovation and collaboration - introducing The Maples’ – finalist in the category: Public Private Partnership 

Caption: An inside view of the Maples.

The Maples is a unique supported living service in Mansfield that is the very first of its kind in Nottinghamshire.

After a thorough specialist construction process to create its five purpose-built single-occupant bungalows, The Maples opened this summer. The first individual receiving support at the service recently moved in.

Using investment from NHS England, the supported living service will support five people with learning disabilities and autism. The Maples has been designed so that individuals living at the service each have their own private living space and garden, with access to a core support team working at a 24/7 staff office.

Earlier this year, Future Home Care, which is part of Lifeways, was awarded a contract by Nottinghamshire County Council to provide the support at the service.

Responding to news of the award shortlisting, Anne Tebbs, Senior Commissioning Officer in Nottinghamshire County Council, hailed the ‘amazing partnership working over the last year.”

It has been an utter privilege working with the team and building a relationship where we can be so honest with each other, and question and test out our thinking in a safe way,” said Anne.

“I know we still feel like we are at the start of the journey, but we have come so far along the way.”

Working closely with Anne and other team members to design the model of support and deliver The Maples was Michaela Butterworth, Lifeways’ Community Engagement and Development Manager for the Central East region.

“I am so proud to be part of the team that’s been nominated for this award,” said Michaela. “Just as we planned, we are now delivering specialist, person-centred support in this one-of-a-kind enhanced supported living service. It’s been fantastic to partner with Nottinghamshire County Council to ensure a successful transition for individuals living in the county.”

“This summer, the first individual we support has moved in – and is enjoying receiving support in their own purpose-built bungalow, which offers support when needed, and independence and privacy when desired.”

View The Maples on our website, and join a virtual tour.

‘The Lifeways Learning Design Team lead the way’ – finalist in the category: ‘Excellence in Training’ 

Caption: A view of the My Lifeways Learning platform (MLL).

The days of training support team members receiving face-to-face inductions in crowded conference rooms are well behind many social care providers – including at Lifeways.

For the last five years, most training courses are accessed via My Lifeways Learning (MLL), an in-house digital Learning & Development platform.

The platform can be accessed on any computer, smartphone, or tablet with an internet connection.

This learner-centric approach offers self-service functionality for new and existing colleagues.

Additional training can also be delivered in person at service, in offices, or remotely via Teams and can take various formats, from instructor-led training, online learning, and videos to infographics and printed materials.

Earlier this year, Lifeways’ Learning & Development Team launched a series of health and clinical modules to develop knowledge and awareness and cover healthcare tasks that are usually outsourced to NHS or external health professionals.

The training is primarily developed in-house, rather than externally, to match Lifeways’ ethos of managing long-term and sustained health improvements.

Courses are based on best practice, NICE guidelines, and created after collaboration with subject matter experts to ensure meaningful, relevant learning content.

Training is constantly refreshed ensuring it is accurate and current. Topics range from care procedures, including:

• catheter and stoma care
• how to take someone’s blood pressure 
• awareness courses on ME, Sepsis, and alternative dietary requirements.

Daniel Coulton, Lifeways' Acting Head of Learning Development, said that he and his team were ‘delighted’ to be selected as finalists for the LaingBuisson Awards’ ‘Excellence in Training’ category.

“This year’s entry recognises everyone who is a part of the Learning & Development Team and for those who we work with, to co-design and co-deliver the wide range of training programs here at Lifeways,” added Daniel.

“We take great pride that the quality of our training has a direct impact on the quality of care that we provide for the people we support.”

Fingers crossed for the LaingBuisson awards ceremony on 16 November!

 

About Lifeways:

Lifeways is the UK’s largest team of support professionals providing support for adults in the community.

We support adults with diverse and complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health conditions.

Lifeways delivers support across three divisions: supported living, residential and mental health services.

As the supported living sector’s largest team of professionals, Lifeways’ extensive experience and national reach mean we deliver extraordinary support to adults, enabling them to live fulfilling and independent lives in the community. 

Our 11,000 colleagues currently support close to 4,500 individuals who live in our 1,500 supported living and residential services across England, Scotland, and Wales. 

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