Form

Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Awards: nomination criteria

Updated 23 March 2023

Applies to England

How it works

1. Completed forms are submitted to cn-asc@dhsc.gov.uk with your regional chief nurse copied in for information.

2. The awards panel is made up of the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care and NHS England and NHS Improvement Senior Management team for nursing.

3. Nominations are collated and processed weekly and presented to each sitting of the panel by the awards administrator for discussion and decisions.

4. Nominators are informed after each meeting of the panel if their application is successful or if additional information is required.

5. The Chief Nurse will publicise winners via tweets, the DHSC website and her blogs, using hashtags such as #thankyounurse/idk #thankyoucareworker.

6. All social media posts will be done with consent from the recipient.

7. All award winners will be sent a digital certificate. Gold Awards are presented by the Chief Nurse.

Gold award criteria

The gold award recognises the enormous range of skills, expertise, and enduring compassion that modern nursing and social care represent:

1. Recognising an individual for outstanding achievement and performance in their sphere of practice. This may be clinical practice, education, research, leadership.

2. Exceptional contribution by an individual with a distinguished career in nursing or social care.

3. An individual who strives to be a role model for others whilst achieving the highest standard in their area of clinical practice and making a significant contribution to the quality of care received by users of services and their families. For example, having had significant impact on health within a community or demonstrated innovative practices or entrepreneurship within their area of practice.

4. Must hold a current Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration or is a care worker working in adult social care in England.

5. Individuals must meet the principles of the fit and proper person test and not be subject to any disciplinary or regulatory action.

6. All nominations require 2 signatures – one should be from the chief nurse or director of nursing, and a second from a line manager, a member of the senior nursing, or the registered manager.

7. Nominations can only be for individuals.

Silver award criteria

The silver award recognises performance that goes above and beyond the expectations of the nurse or social care worker, and what is expected in their current role:

1. Demonstrates excellence in clinical practice; education, research, patient and carer experience, leadership, tackling diversity and health inequalities.

2. Holds a current registration with the NMC or is a social care worker working in adult social care in England.

3. Demonstrates commitment to users of services through outstanding person-centred care which is recognised and supported by family, friends, or colleagues.

4. Has strong leadership in the development of services for patients resulting in improvement of performance for users of services.

5. Provides consistently outstanding care which is recognised by a service user and colleagues.

6. Champions diversity and inclusion in practice and with colleagues.

7. Demonstrates clinical leadership in the area of practice, this can be evidenced in leading teams or delivery of care.

8. Meets the principles of the fit and proper person test and not be subject to any disciplinary or regulatory action.

Team award criteria

The team award recognises the outstanding contribution that teams can have on the lives of the people they care for:

1. Recognising creative, innovative and effective team approaches.

2. Demonstrates high level of performance, capability and commitment that goes beyond what’s expected.

3. Demonstrates commitment to users of services through outstanding person-centred care which is recognised and supported by family, friends, or colleagues.

4. Individuals must meet the principles of the fit and proper person test and not be subject to any disciplinary or regulatory action.

5. All nominations require 2 signatures – one should be from the chief nurse or director of nursing, and a second from a line manager, a member of the senior nursing, or the registered manager.

6. Nominations can only be for teams.

Contact

If you have a query about the process or criteria for a nomination you wish to make, please contact cn-asc@dhsc.gov.uk.