The Social Care Accolades, which are organised by Social Care Wales and sponsored by Llais, recognise, celebrate and share excellent practice in social care and childcare, play and early years in Wales. This year 127 projects and care workers from across Wales entered or were nominated for the awards.
The Wellbeing Portal was shortlisted down to the final 3 in the Working in Partnership category within the Social Care Accolades going against stiff competition from 28 other nominees across Wales.
The Wellbeing Portal is a digital platform that provides access to information, advice and support for children, young people and families and all who work with them quickly and easily, and all in one place. Whilst it is a digital platform, it is digital with human interaction at key points throughout the Portal journey.
The Portal was developed following extensive consultation with families, in which they explained that they often have to approach several different organisations when looking for support. This process often involves re-telling their stories, multiple times, to multiple organisations, in the search for the right support for them. This is then usually followed by multiple referrals being made to multiple organisations before being able to access the support they need, and can lead to frustration and confusion.
The aim of this Portal is to significantly reduce these barriers by providing one place to tell their story, via which they can access multiple organisations, including Local Authority and Third Sector.
Sarah McCarty, Social Care Wales’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to have such a strong group of finalists that really showcase the excellent care work that’s happening all over Wales.
“Once again, we’ve received an exceptionally high standard of entries and the judges have had a difficult time whittling the entries down to just 18 finalists.
“This year’s Accolades has given us some fantastic examples of inspiring and dedicated workers, teams and organisations who are providing excellent care and support to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, showing the positive difference this makes to people’s lives.”
Councillor Robert Walsh, Lead Member for Children’s Services, says “Having the Wellbeing Portal shortlisted for a National Social Care accolade is a fantastic achievement. I am so proud of the team for all the work they have done. To reach the top 3 in the Partnerships category against such a strong field really does take some doing.”
“Many of our residents in Wrexham are in need of help and support. The Wellbeing Portal not only signposts them in the right direction, but it makes the process so much more straightforward. Even a person in most need may decide not to bother trying to make contact if a process is too complicated. The Wellbeing Portal simplifies that process and makes it easier to find the most suitable help/assistance going forward. Well done all.”
Attending the Accolades on behalf of Wrexham County Borough Council – left to right Becci Roberts – Interim Lead for Prevention and Service Development, Lisa Atherton – Assistant Team Manager for Wrexham Family Information Service, Rhian Thomas – Senior Head of Service for Children’s Services, and Councillor Robert Walsh – Lead Member for Children’s Services.
To find out more about the Wellbeing Portal, or to make a referral through for support, visit the Wellbeing portal here.
