Nicola’s Blog – Surrey’s talent in social care

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of looking through more than 140 entries for this year’s Care Awards. Every time I take part in this process, I’m reminded of just how much talent exists across the independent social care sector. Despite facing incredibly challenging economic circumstances and navigating a time of significant change, the passion, innovation, and commitment from people in social care shines through.

What stood out most this year were the examples of creativity and dedication: innovative approaches to care, best practice models being shared, trailblazing uses of new technology, and—most importantly—the constant focus on keeping the person receiving support at the very centre of everything. That’s what makes social care so special, and why these awards matter so much.

Behind the Scenes of Judging

People often ask what happens behind the scenes of the judging process, so I thought I’d share a little insight. With so many outstanding nominations, it takes a whole team to do justice to them. This year, we had 12 judges and 2 moderators, each bringing their own knowledge and perspective.

Every pair of judges was given two or three award categories to consider, and time and again they reflected on just how tough it was—firstly to select finalists, and then to make the almost impossible decision of choosing a winner. The calibre of entries was exceptional.

Judging takes place in late August and the very start of September. Once the judging panel has made its decisions, the next stage is moderation. This is where myself and our Vice Chair of the Board have the absolute joy of reading through the judges’ reflections, and confirming the finalists and winners. I always say we get the best part of the process—it’s such a privilege to see the incredible breadth of talent and commitment across the sector.

The Special Moment

Once moderation is complete, it’s over to our brilliant office team, who prepare the finalist letters. I can tell you, those envelopes hold a lot of excitement and emotion! For me, this is one of the most special times of the year. Without a doubt, it’s one of my favourite parts of being CEO—celebrating the amazing people who make social care what it is.

The Care Awards aren’t just about recognising excellence; they’re about shining a light on the heart and soul of our sector. Every nomination tells a story, and together they show a workforce filled with resilience, creativity, and above all, care.

Thinking about being a member of Surrey Care Association and being a part of this for 2026?  Feel free to reach out to us using the “contact us” button.