Summary: In this blog we share the news that Unique Senior Care has been shortlisted for two categories at the Home Care Awards 2026 – Excellence in Training and Excellence in Live-in Care. We explain what these awards recognise, why training and live-in care are inseparable in practice, and what this shortlisting means for families, the people we support, and the Carers responsible for delivering complex, one-to-one care every day.
We’ve taken a moment to pause this week as Unique Senior Care has been shortlisted for two categories at the Home Care Awards 2026 – Excellence in Training and Excellence in Live-in Care.
Awards aren’t why anyone comes into care. No one chooses this work for recognition. But when something like this happens, it’s worth stopping for a moment. Because it reflects the everyday work of people who show up, dedicate their time and care consistently, and do the right thing even when the work is hard and often unseen.
What are the Home Care Awards?
The Home Care Awards are a national awards programme that recognise quality and good practice across home care in the UK.
They are judged by an independent panel drawn from across health and social care, including people with frontline, regulatory and sector experience. The focus is not on glossy claims or big statements, but on how care is actually delivered day to day.
The awards look closely at how organisations support their Carers, how consistent and reliable care is in practice, and whether people are being cared for with dignity, safety and respect over time.
Being shortlisted means an organisation has been recognised for doing this work to a high standard in a specific area of care. It isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being dependable, thoughtful and responsible in how care is delivered.
What being shortlisted for Excellence in Training means for families
The Excellence in Training category looks at how Carers are prepared and supported for the reality of their role.
For families, this matters because training directly affects what care feels like day to day. It influences how competent and confident a Carer is, how calmly they respond when things are difficult, and how well they notice, understand and act on changes.
Good training is so much more than policies or procedures. It equips Carers with the right judgement, reassurance and steadiness in real situations. It helps Carers feel able to make decisions, ask questions, and seek support when they need it.
This shortlisting reflects the importance of training that continues beyond induction. Training that supports Carers as people, not just as staff, so the care they provide is consistent, thoughtful and safe over time.
What being shortlisted for Excellence in Live-in Care means for the people we support
The Excellence in Live-in Care category recognises high-quality, one-to-one care for people who need round-the-clock support in their own homes.
Live-in care is an intense form of care. For long periods of time, one Carer is solely responsible for supporting a person’s day-to-day needs, wellbeing and safety. That responsibility can include managing complex health needs, responding to changes quickly, and providing reassurance through uncertainty, distress or decline.
For the person receiving care, this makes the right Carer crucial. Live-in care relies on trust, competence and consistency. It means being supported by someone who understands their routines, preferences and personality, but who is also able to make sound decisions, stay calm under pressure and adapt as needs change.
This category looks not only at what happens in the home, but at how live-in care is organised, supported and overseen. That matters because even the most capable Carer needs clear guidance, reliable support and strong professional oversight. When those systems are in place, care feels steadier, safer and more dependable for the person being cared for.
Being shortlisted recognises the importance of live-in care that is properly supported and responsibly delivered. Care that acknowledges the intensity of the role, the complexity of the situations involved, and the impact this has on the person receiving care over time.
Why training and live-in care are inseparable in high-quality home care
Being shortlisted for both Excellence in Training and Excellence in Live-in Care is significant for us because these two areas are closely linked in real life.
Live-in care places a high level of responsibility on a single Carer, often over an extended period of time. In those situations, competence, judgement and confidence are not optional. They are essential. How a Carer has been trained, supported and prepared directly affects how safely and consistently care is delivered.
When Carers feel properly equipped and backed by a wider team, they are better able to manage complex situations, respond calmly to change, and make sound decisions in the moment. That has a direct impact on the experience of the person receiving care.
This shortlisting recognises that high-quality live-in care depends on strong training and ongoing support. It reflects an understanding that care works best when the foundations are solid, the responsibility is acknowledged, and people are not left to cope alone.
This is about Carers and the teams behind them
Carers are the people most families see and come to rely on. They are the ones there day after day, building trust, noticing subtle changes, responding to worry or distress, and carrying the emotional responsibility that comes with supporting someone at home.
That role takes skill, judgement and resilience. It can be demanding and, at times, isolating. Carers are often managing complex situations on their own, making decisions in the moment and providing reassurance when families are not there.
But good care is never the result of one person working in isolation.
Behind every Carer is a wider team providing guidance, oversight and support. Trainers, Care Managers, Live-in Managers, coordinators and office teams are working quietly in the background – checking in, answering questions, responding to concerns and helping to keep care safe and consistent.
This shortlisting recognises that shared responsibility. It reflects the combined effort that sits behind every good day of care, and it belongs to everyone who plays a part, whether their role is visible to families or not.
A word from Philip Wright Howarth, Co-Founder and Director
“This shortlisting reflects the reality of how care works. Care doesn’t happen in isolation, and what people experience day to day is shaped just as much by the support around the Carer as by the Carer themselves.
In live-in care especially, the responsibility is significant. Carers are often managing complex situations on their own, and the quality of training and support they receive makes a real difference to how safe, steady and consistent that care feels. We’re endlessly proud of our teams and the way they show up for the people they support.”
What happens next with the 2026 Home Care Awards
The winners of the **Home Care Awards 2026 will be announced on 6th March
Whatever the outcome, this shortlisting is a moment to pause and recognise the people behind the care. The ones who keep things steady, support others quietly, and do the work properly every single day.
We’d also like to wish the very best of luck to the other finalists. Being shortlisted at a national level reflects the care, responsibility and commitment shown by teams across the sector.
If you’d like to learn more about how we support people at home, or want to talk to us about care for yourself or a family member, you’re welcome to get in touch or explore more of our resources and guidance.
Jo joined Unique Senior Care as a Carer in 2011, transitioning from a nursing background. With 25 years of experience in health and social care, including mental health and children with disabilities, Jo has embraced numerous growth opportunities within the company.
Passionate about learning and development, Jo earned a Level 5 Diploma in this field and is committed to equipping teams with the skills needed for outstanding care.
Jo’s qualifications include advanced training in people handling, risk assessment, safeguarding, basic life support, first aid, health and safety, and dementia care. Jo has also completed numerous workshops and CPD courses, such as the SCIE’s Co-Production webinar.
These accomplishments reflect Jo’s dedication to fostering a culture of safety and excellence in care.