Information on Loughborough

Exceptional Andy celebrates national award

Posted on 04/07/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Adult Social Care Service

3 July 2009

Exceptional Andy celebrates national award

An exceptional County Council worker has been honoured with a prestigious national award for helping to dramatically reduce assaults on social care staff.

Andy Hollingshead is celebrating after picking up the Council Worker of the Year Award at a ceremony in Harrogate last night (Thursday). The accolade, which was for 'transformation' and determined by public votes, was presented by Jeremy Vine.

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

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

Andy 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.

As well as playing an instrumental part in securing 10 national RoSPA awards over the past 11 years, Andy has devoted a considerable amount of his own time to ensure that Rainbows Children's Hospice manages health and safety effectively.

Andy said: "I'm very honoured to have won this award. When I was entered, I never expected to win but it makes me think I must be doing something right!

"I'm absolutely delighted and I would like to thank all the people who voted for me."

David Parsons, County Council Leader, said: "Andy is a truly remarkable member of staff whose many achievements have improved safety for colleagues and enriched the lives of hundreds of people. He is a great ambassador for the County Council.

"His dedication and enthusiasm are second to none and I'd like to congratulate Andy on his award which is thoroughly deserved."

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

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 were 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 were chosen by the public vote and each received a trophy and £250.

More information is available at:

RoSPA - www.rospa.com

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

Council Worker of the Year - www.localgovernmentchannel.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.