‘Much deserved’: Lifeways’ Head of Health and Clinical Governance awarded by UK’s Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care

Our Head of Health and Clinical Governance, Karen Roberts, received on Thursday a prestigious award from the UK’s Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy.

Karen received the Gold Award for Outstanding Services to Social Care from the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care following a panel discussion at the Outstanding Society Lounge at the Care Show in Birmingham.

“I was delighted to give Karen a Chief Nurse for Adult Care award,” said Deborah Sturdy.

“She epitomises the qualities we need to see in our leaders. As a Learning Disabilities Nurse, she helps shine the light on the specialism on a national stage,” added Deborah.

“Her passion for social care nursing is evident, and her drive to promote the profession in social care is palpable. She is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Karen was attending the Birmingham Care Show to speak on a panel at the Outstanding Society lounge, which shares and celebrates best practices in social care.

Delighted to present Karen Roberts with a CN-ASC award at #CareShowBHAM24. As Head of Clinical Governance at @LifewaysGroup and co-chair of the NE&Yorks SCNAC, Karen champions #socialcare nursing, especially as an LD nurse, shining a light on this critical specialism. @SCNACs pic.twitter.com/vOlXVd5MYz

— Deborah Sturdy (@sturdy_deborah) October 11, 2024

Shining career

Back in June this year, Karen Roberts marched alongside roughly 100 other nurses in Pride in London, marking the first time that social care organisations from across the UK have been formally involved in the annual parade.

Karen co-chairs the North East and Yorkshire Social Care Nursing Advisory Council (SCNAC), which the Outstanding Society supports on behalf of the Chief Nurse. These seven regional councils are part of every one of England’s 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which are NHS organisations responsible for planning health services for their local population.

In addition to leading Lifeways’ health and clinical governance for the last 6 years, Karen is also a Queen’s Nurse and a Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse (RNLD).

Karen began working at Lifeways in 1998 – back when the provider was just three years old. She became our Group Head of Health and Clinical Governance in 2018 but has held multiple roles across the organisation.

Keeping people first

“Karen has worked for Lifeways for 26 years and has continually kept people at the heart of discussions and decision-making,” said Gareth Roberts (no relation), Lifeways’ Quality Director.

“This Gold Award validates the great work Karen does for nursing within social care,” Gareth added.

“Lifeways is lucky to have a dedicated and committed team member who lives and breathes person-centred approaches and influences policy across the sector.”

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.

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

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