Lifeways’ innovations in Health and Safety data win at the SHE Awards 2024!

Our Health and Safety Team and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) teams have together been awarded for the Best Use of Health & Safety Data to Lower Incident Rates at the Safety & Health Excellence (SHE) Awards 2024!

At the NEC Birmingham Awards Ceremony evening on 1 May, our two winning teams received an etched glass trophy – and plenty of applause from the gala dinner’s 700 participants.

In total, the awards had 465 entries submitted within 20 award categories from dozens of companies in multiple sectors.

Our winning award entry was under Living Ambitions, part of the Lifeways Group, and among 12 other finalists in the category.

Lifeways won the award due to a data-driven approach to dramatically reduce accidents and incidents across our services.    

Using information from our electronic compliance system, Radar Healthcare, the two teams focused on the meticulous collection and analysis of behavioural data.

Deeper understanding

This data included the frequency, duration, severity, location, and timing of incidents.

Developing a deeper understanding of incidents, the teams were able to pinpoint triggers, recognize early warning signs, and develop targeted Positive Behaviour Support plans tailored to the needs of individuals.

This data-driven approach soon saw results. Since 2021, their focused interventions resulted in a Lifeways-wide reduction of over 48% in physical assault events and a 65% decrease in accidents and incidents that are notifiable to insurers.

Then in 2023, our Positive Behaviour Support Team put in place 162 Positive Behaviour Support plans, to support individuals with behaviours that challenge, increase their quality of life, manage risks, and equip their teams with the strategies to manage behaviours and support in a positive, non-aversive way.

These improvements evidence Lifeways’ dedication to creating safer and more positive environments for everyone involved.

“We are delighted that Lifeways have been recognised through an external award that validates the great work the teams are doing,” says Gareth Roberts, Lifeways’ Director of Quality. “But more importantly, we are keeping people we support and our teams safe through the use of data analysis and responding quickly to themes and trends.”

“This collaborative approach reinforces the ‘One Team’ mentality within Lifeways - the Health and Safety Team, the Positive Behaviour Support Team, and Operational colleagues have a positive and transparent relationship, which places risk management at the core of what we do and is central to how we support people.”

‘Hard work and dedication’

Heather Wright, Lifeways’ Head of Health and Safety - seen on the right in the photo above - added: “We are extremely delighted and proud to receive this award.”

“It’s not only about the work by the Health and Safety Team working alongside the Specialist Support Team in Lifeways, but a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by all those working in our services.”

“This dedication has massively helped to create the positive safety culture we now have, throughout all of Lifeways.”

A rising star!

Praise also goes to Sarah Stuart, a Regional Health and Safety Manager for Lifeways, who was highly commended in the SHE Awards’ Rising Star category, coming in second place.

Since joining Lifeways in 2022, Sarah has been dedicated to promoting and embedding a culture of safety and excellence.

Additionally, Sarah has researched, devised, and delivered workshops and sessions relating to health and safety and wellbeing to the whole workforce.

Sarah has also supported in the revision of our 27 safety-related policies and training modules, including redesigning training packages in a user-friendly format.

 

About Living Ambitions:

Living Ambitions delivers a diverse range of bespoke services across the UK including supported living, residential care, outreach services, respite care and support at home, with the aim of helping people live as independently as possible.

Living Ambitions is part of the Lifeways Group.

About Lifeways:

With 11,000 support colleagues working with us, Lifeways is the UK’s largest team of support professionals providing support for adults in the community.

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