Our Categories
The Care Awards categories have been created to celebrate the breadth, heart and impact of the care sector. From frontline professionals and dedicated teams to inspiring leaders and innovative organisations, each category recognises the people and services making a meaningful difference every day. These awards are designed to honour excellence, compassion and commitment across health, social care and wellbeing, while shining a light on the stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated.
Care Worker of the Year
This award recognises a paid care worker who makes an outstanding difference through compassionate, person-centred support. Nominees may work in home care, residential care, supported living, day services, or other frontline care roles. This category is for someone who consistently shows kindness, professionalism, dignity, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of the people they support.
Care Team of the Year
This award celebrates a team that works together brilliantly to deliver high-quality care and support. Nominees may be based in a care home, domiciliary care service, supported living setting, community service, or another care environment. The category is open to teams that demonstrate strong collaboration, shared values, and a positive impact on both the people they support and the wider workplace culture.
Nurse in Social Care of the Year
This category is for a qualified nurse working in a social care setting, where nursing expertise plays a vital role in supporting people’s health, dignity, and quality of life. Nominees may work in care homes, community-based services, specialist settings, or supported living environments. This award recognises clinical excellence alongside compassion, leadership, and a person-led approach to care.
Rising Star Award
This award is for someone who is new to their role or new to the care sector and is already showing exceptional promise. Nominees may be at the beginning of their career, recently promoted, or bringing fresh energy from another background. The category celebrates enthusiasm, professionalism, a positive attitude, and clear potential to make a lasting impact in care.
Volunteer of the Year
This award recognises an individual who gives their time freely to support others through unpaid care-related work. Nominees may volunteer in care homes, hospices, charities, community groups, befriending services, or wellbeing initiatives. This category honours those whose kindness, reliability, and generosity have made a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
Family Carer of the Year
This category recognises an unpaid carer who provides ongoing support to a family member, partner, or loved one. Nominees may offer practical help, emotional support, advocacy, personal care, or help with day-to-day life, often alongside other responsibilities. This award celebrates the dedication, resilience, and compassion shown by unpaid carers and the vital role they play every day.
Young Carer of the Year
This award recognises an unpaid carer under the age of 18 who helps care for a family member or loved one. Nominees may take on responsibilities that include practical support, emotional care, or helping manage everyday routines at home. This category celebrates the maturity, compassion, and commitment of young carers, and acknowledges the important contribution they make while balancing school and daily life.
Dementia Care Excellence Award
This award is open to an individual, team, or service providing exceptional support to people living with dementia. Nominees should demonstrate a strong understanding of dementia, a person-centred approach, and a commitment to helping people live well. This category is for those delivering thoughtful, compassionate care that enhances quality of life for individuals and supports those around them.
End of Life Care Excellence Award
This category recognises outstanding care for people nearing the end of life, delivered with dignity, compassion, and sensitivity. Nominees may be individuals, teams, or services working in care homes, hospices, home care, nursing, or specialist palliative care settings. The award celebrates those who provide comfort, emotional support, and truly person- and family-centred care during one of life’s most important moments.
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Care Award
This award celebrates individuals, teams, or organisations that make a meaningful contribution to mental health and emotional wellbeing within care. Nominees may support people using services, colleagues, carers, or communities through practical initiatives, compassionate support, or inclusive practice. This category recognises efforts that help people feel heard, valued, supported, and able to thrive.
Outstanding Leader in Care
This category is for a leader who inspires confidence, supports others, and drives positive change in care. Nominees may be managers, registered managers, team leaders, directors, or founders who lead with integrity, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose. This award recognises leadership that strengthens teams, improves care, and creates a positive culture where people can do their best work.
Workplace Wellbeing Award
This award recognises a team, service, or organisation that places staff wellbeing at the heart of its culture. Nominees should show a genuine commitment to supporting their workforce through initiatives that improve morale, retention, psychological safety, and day-to-day working life. This category is for employers who create environments where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
Employer of the Year
This category is open to a care employer that has built a strong, values-led culture for its workforce. Nominees may be care providers, charities, community organisations, or other employers in the sector that invest in their people and lead by example. This award recognises employers who promote inclusion, development, support, and a positive employee experience that helps staff deliver excellent care.
Community Impact Award
This award celebrates an individual, team, organisation, or partnership that has made a measurable difference to local people. Nominees should show how their work has strengthened the community, improved access to support, reduced isolation, or created positive outcomes for those around them. This category is ideal for initiatives that clearly demonstrate meaningful local benefit and lasting impact.
Charity of the Year
This award recognises a charity that has made a meaningful difference through thoughtful support, everyday kindness, or small actions that have had a big impact. Nominees may be local or regional charities working across health, social care, wellbeing, or community support. This category celebrates heart, purpose, and the difference a charity can make in people’s lives, whether through a major initiative or quiet, consistent care.