The achievements of dozens of frontline care staff were celebrated yesterday as they received their hard-earned NVQ Awards. The chance to complete National Vocational Qualifications in Health and Social Care is offered by Norwood to those employees working with adults and children.
Some 32 people who work in the Charity’s residential homes in London, and at its newly opened RD Crusaders WorkHub, achieved the awards this year. They were presented at a ceremony at the Kulanu Centre in Kenton, north-west London. The efforts of successful NVQ Award candidates who work at Ravenswood, its residential community for adults with learning disabilities in Berkshire, will be honoured at a second ceremony at East Berkshire Golf Course later this month.
The London NVQ Award candidates received their awards from some of the service users they work with each day, and Angela Duce, Norwood’s Head of Adult Services. During the ceremony, Norwood Chief Executive Norma Brier spoke to those who attended about the Charity’s aim of putting the people who use our services at the centre of everything it does.
“I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to every member of staff who received an NVQ Award yesterday, and all those who will receive them later this month,” she said afterwards. “Norwood would be nothing without its 1,200 dedicated members of staff, and we are committed to giving them every chance to advance in their careers. After all, this ensures that we are able to provide the best possible services to the thousands of children, adults and families who rely on our support each year.”
People who work for Norwood have long been actively encouraged to gain skills and qualifications which will help them progress in their careers. Last year, the Charity signed up to the Skills Pledge, a Government scheme which encourages organisations to invest in their employees’ futures. By making the Skills Pledge, it has publically demonstrated its commitment to its staff and their training needs.
As part of its learning and development programme, Norwood also organises training courses, meetings and conferences for staff working across the organisation. Meanwhile, the Charity recently launched an exciting new initiative which gives all non-operational staff the opportunity to spend one day each year working in an operational service.
