Fairfield declared Apprenticeship Employer of the Year
Fairfield Residential Home was one of three short-listed small and medium sized employers for the prestigious award ceremony held at Blenheim Palace on Thursday 22 May. “And the winner is… Fairfield Residential Home!”
Director of Care and Registered Manager Michelle Williams receives the award from Chair of Judges Kate Berman, together with hosts Sarah Haycock (left) and Simon Newton.
At the Enterprise Oxfordshire Awards Evening held at Blenheim Palace recently, Fairfield Residential Home was declared Apprenticeship Employer of the Year in the category of small and medium sized employers.
Announcing the award, Kate Berman, chair of the judging panel and Director of the Witney-based company, Olamalu, said “Fairfield Residential Home sets a shining example of how creating a culture of learning, with apprentices as a key element, can make a vital contribution towards making a care home a happy and secure place.”
Praising the real career progression offered by Fairfield through apprenticeships from Level 2 starters right the way through to preparation for senior management at Level 5, Chair of Judges Kate said, “We recognise the strong support network for apprentices with additional support tailored to individual needs and we particularly applaud the celebration of apprentice success shared with the entire care home, involving the chair of trustees and all the residents.”
“Achieving this in the care sector, which seems to be constantly in the news for issues with staffing and training, makes Fairfield particularly stand apart,” Kate added.
As a learning organisation, we place particular emphasis on encouraging our team to seek qualifications and to enable them to advance in this wonderful profession. I am so proud of the whole team.
Receiving the trophy to thunderous applause from the guests at the ceremony, Michelle Williams, Director of Care and Registered Manager at Fairfield Home, said, “As a learning organisation, we place particular emphasis on encouraging our team to seek qualifications and to enable them to advance in this wonderful profession. I am so proud of the whole team.”
The training programme is the particular brainchild of Fairfield Training Manager, Jo Bennett, who was one of three shortlisted finalists for the Skills Champion Award. Jo said, “It is wonderful to see our apprentices grow in confidence as they develop and learn more about the care profession. Sometimes, the testing regime at school has not played to their strengths but in the more practical and challenging environment of a residential home, they blossom into strong, committed and confident young people.”
Staff well-being and professional development are critical to achieving our vision of an exceptionally happy home where residents enjoy a fulfilling later life and I am very proud to be part of a team that is making that happen
The team was accompanied to the Awards ceremony by Fairfield’s Chief Executive, Fiona Shickle, and Chair of Trustees, Dr John Guy. Fiona said, “Staff well-being and professional development are critical to achieving our vision of an exceptionally happy home where residents enjoy a fulfilling later life and I am very proud to be part of a team that is making that happen.”
Dr Guy said, “What a wonderful evening! Fairfield is a small charity committed to exceptional residential care for our 40 residents. To be declared Apprenticeship Employer of the Year at the Enterprise Oxford Awards ceremony is a wonderful recognition of an outstanding care home building for the future!”
The Fairfield Team at the Awards Ceremony (l to r) Fiona Shickle (Chief Executive), Jo Bennett (Training Manager), Michelle Williams (Director of Care), Shamaila Muzammil (Deputy Manager), Karen Conway (Acting Deputy Manager)
