Julie Shield joined Abbeyvale Care Centre, part of National Care Group's Essential Care and Support services, as a laundry assistant in 2000, and has since worked her way up, becoming registered manager of the centre 11 years ago.

Yesterday she received a surprise video call from Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for England, with the exciting news. Deborah recognised Julie's leadership, achievements and contributions to the people she supports and the profession with a coveted Silver Chief Nursing Award.

A brand new award for 2021 which brings equal recognition to social care workers inline with NHS awards, this accolade means that she becomes one of the first professionals in the sector to receive a silver Chief Nursing Officer Adult Social Care (CNO-ASC) title. The awards have been introduced by the government to celebrate nurses and care workers in adult social care who go above and beyond their everyday roles to provide excellent care, leadership, and inspiration.

Julie said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this award. I love what I do and work alongside an incredible team of colleagues who put the people we support at the heart of everything we do. After everything the past 18 months have thrown at us, I couldn’t be prouder to work in social care and would like to say thank you to National Care Group for nominating me for this, and other awards I’ve been fortunate enough to receive.”

This is the third award Julie has received so far in 2021, after winning ‘Manager of the Year’ and ‘Pandemic Star of the Year’ at our National Care Group annual awards in the spring.

James Allen, our Chief Executive, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the work Julie has done over the past year. Care managers are on the frontline every day, taking on huge responsibilities regularly equal to those working within the NHS – and this has only been escalated further due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

“That’s what makes Julie’s achievements all the more impressive, as she’s been able to keep Abbeyvale completely Covid-free and even returned to work just six weeks after being seriously ill herself early in the pandemic to ensure she was able to be there for her colleagues and the people she supports. Thanks to Julie, the person-centered approach of Abbeyvale has never faltered and she’s kept the sense of home and community alive for individuals at the most extraordinary of times.

“I’m glad to see awards like this one being introduced for those working in social care. It’s a sector that has, historically, been overlooked but this is a crucial step in continuing to raise the profile of those going above and beyond every single day.”

The award was presented virtually by chief nursing officer Professor Deborah Sturdy, she said: “I am delighted to be awarding Julie Shield a Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Award for her leadership and commitment to her role as manager, not only through the pandemic, but during her 11 years as manager and leader of her team within the National Care Group”