Celebrating Excellence Across Northern Ireland
About The Awards
The Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Awards celebrate excellence across the health and social care sector, recognising and paying tribute to individuals and organisations who demonstrate outstanding dedication, compassion, and achievement in their work.
The awards highlight best practice across Northern Ireland and provide an opportunity to recognise those who go above and beyond to deliver high-quality, person-centred care and support.
Award Categories
There are a wide range of categories available for nomination, representing all areas of health and social care. These include services for older people and specialist care, residential and community-based services, and roles across both frontline and leadership settings.
The categories recognise a wide range of contributions, from care workers, nurses, and managers to individuals making a significant impact through leadership, workforce development, training, and innovation.
Inclusive and Collaborative
The awards are fully inclusive, bringing together the statutory, independent, and voluntary sectors, as well as unpaid carers, to promote collaboration and shared learning across Northern Ireland.
Partnership is central to the awards, with strong links to care partners, health and social care organisations, and sector networks to ensure the event reflects and celebrates the breadth of care delivered across the region.
Why Nominate?
By nominating a colleague or team, you are recognising their dedication and commitment while also helping to raise the profile of health and social care across Northern Ireland. Nominations celebrate excellence, innovation, and the positive impact care professionals have on people’s lives every day.
The closing date for nominations is the 10th of November 2026.
Benefits to Individuals
Being nominated is a powerful recognition of dedication, professionalism, and impact. It provides individuals with an opportunity to be celebrated for their achievements and to gain wider recognition for their contribution to care and support services.
Benefits to Organisations
By nominating your employees or teams, you demonstrate pride in their hard work and achievements. The awards also offer valuable publicity opportunities and help promote a positive organisational culture that values excellence, motivation, and staff recognition.
The Judging Process
All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend a virtual interview with an independent panel of judges. The judging day will take place virtually and will usually be held approximately six weeks prior to the awards ceremony. Full details of the judging date will be confirmed to shortlisted nominees in advance.
Who Should Apply?
The awards represent all areas of health and social care across Northern Ireland. This includes care homes, domiciliary care providers, health and social care trusts, voluntary and community organisations, and unpaid carers.
Nominations are welcomed for individuals working in frontline roles such as care workers, nurses, key workers, and managers, as well as those making a wider impact through leadership, advocacy, innovation, and support services.
The Gala Event
Finalists will be invited to attend a prestigious gala dinner where the winners will be announced. The event will include a drinks reception, dinner, entertainment, and dancing, providing an opportunity to celebrate success with colleagues, friends, and supporters.
The inaugural Health and Social Care Awards will be held on the 8th December at the Hilton Belfast.
Book a Table to Celebrate
Following the judging process, finalists and organisations will be invited to book places at the gala event. To book your place or for further information, please contact info@care-awards.co.uk.
The inaugural Health and Social Care Awards will be held on the 8th December at the Hilton Belfast.
Book a table to celebrate
The awards provide a true celebration of the unsung heroes of social care, whose dedication and commitment are vital to the delivery of high-quality care within our communities.
For more information on booking a table, please email catherine@care-awards.co.uk
