Information on Loughborough

'Can do' approach lands Andy in national finals

Posted on 07/05/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Adult Social Care Service

5 May 2009

'Can do' approach lands Andy in national finals

Dramatically reducing assaults on social care staff is among the many achievements of a County Council worker in line for a prestigious national award.

By bringing in simple but innovative procedures such as pocket-sized guides, special lone-worker training and satellite tracking, Andy Hollingshead has helped to cut the number by a staggering 80%.

Incidents have fallen from just over 1,500 in 1998 to under 350 in 2008, helping the authority become a UK leader in this area. A large majority are not intended assaults but are a result of behavioural or mental health difficulties.

Residents are being urged to get behind Andy who has been shortlisted for a Council Worker of the Year Award for his exceptional work.

From today, people can show their support and give Andy the recognition he deserves by voting for him to win.

Andy, who is a finalist in the 'transformation' category, works as a social care health and safety manager and through his 'can do' approach, has enabled hundreds of people to benefit from life-changing projects.

Through sensible assessments and advice which emphasises positive risk-taking, many unique and inspiring projects have taken off including:

- a woodwork group at Millfield Breaking the Barriers project in Hinckley where people with learning disabilities run a business making and selling bird boxes and furniture using power tools and equipment

- an allotment project at Roman Way Day Centre in Market Harborough where people with learning disabilities earn an income growing and selling local produce

- a recycling project in Loughborough and Wigston where people with learning disabilities recycle cans and foil, benefiting the environment

Andy has also been instrumental in securing 10 national RoSPA awards over the past 11 years, eight of which are gold.

From today until 2nd July, residents can vote for Andy by:

- visiting www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards

- texting 'LGATV 2 AndyH' to 80039 (texts charged at standard network rate)

- filling in voting forms at libraries, museums and service shops

Andy said: "People often blame health and safety as an excuse for other failings - you see it every day on signs saying ‘closed because of health and safety’. We very much have a 'can do' approach in Leicestershire as cocooning people in cotton wool is not the answer.

"It is an honour to be nominated for this award and I am proud that my hard work over the past 11 years has made a difference."

Mick Connell, County Council Director of Adult Social Care and Health, said: "Andy has made a huge contribution to helping us deliver better services to the public, whilst keeping our staff safe and well supported. His hard work and enthuasism is appreciated by all at the Council and now we hope his achievements will be recognised further afield."

To find out more about the awards and Andy’s story, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/doingmore

Notes:

Assaults to actual Social Workers, as opposed to Social Care staff, are a very small percentage of the number of incidents.

There are 40 finalists from local councils across the UK competing for 10 awards - Innovation, Community Engagement, Transformation, the Green Award, Working with Young People Leadership, Lifetime Service, Team of the Year, Bravery and Caring, and were chosen from over 320 nominations.

The 10 winners are chosen by the public vote and will each receive a trophy and £250.

The winners will be announced by BBC presenter Jeremy Vine at this year's LGA annual conference in Harrogate on 2nd July.

More information is available at:

RoSPA - www.rospa.com

Social Care -  www.leics.gov.uk/socialcare

Council Worker of the Year  -  www.thelocalgovernmentchannel.com/awards

Photos/interviews:

To arrange photos and interviews or for more information, please contact the County Council's Press Office on 0116 305 6274.