Congratulations to the awarded and highly commended organisations for the 2011 South Australian Carers Recognition Awards.
Category 1: Outstanding initiative for carers as customers
Not for profit organisation
Award
Three organisations excelled in this category. Initiatives were varied and all highly deserving of an award.
Northern Carers Network - provides services and respite to carers in the northern Adelaide Region. Northern Carers Network are awarded for their Aboriginal Grandparents and Carers Program that provides educational culturally appropriate family fun and cultural days that bring together grandparents, elders, carers and their families.
Resthaven Incorporated - an aged care community service of the Uniting Church in Australia provides a responsive community and residential care service for older South Australians and their carers. Resthaven (Marion) are awarded for their Carer Education and Support Group eight-week course that focuses on topics including wellbeing, communication, feelings, respite, managing stress, relationships, creative approaches and reflections to assist carers in their role.
Carers Association of SA - provides state-wide services and respite to carers. Carers SA is awarded for their Young Carers in Education initiative in which resources, workshops and a booklet focuses on raising awareness of young carers in education.
Government agency
Highly commended
Southern Flinders Health Laura Campus - (Country Health SA) Community health services include health promotion activities, education and support groups, outreach and palliative care, nursing and Home and Community Care Services. The Laura Campus is highly commended for their Rest and Recreation program that enables carers to have respite while they provide a range of recreation activities for the care recipients.
Category 2: Outstanding initiative for carers as employees
Not for profit organisation
Award
Carer Support - provides services and respite to carers in southern and eastern metropolitan Adelaide. Carer Support is awarded for their holistic approach in supporting carers who are their employees. Carer Support offers flexitime and the provision of carers leave (10 extra leave days a year) which is included in their employees' enterprise agreement. They also offer negotiated work hours to support carers to be flexible in their caring role.
Government agency
Award
Department for Communities and Social Inclusion - DCSI Human Resources is awarded for the Managers and Carers Working Together resource package, a systematic approach responding to caring responsibilities and educating DFC employees and their managers.
Highly commended Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA - PIRSA is highly commended for their commitment in supporting their staff who are carers through the development of the PIRSA Carers Policy.