A charity boss who has spent a lifetime working in social care has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution award in the Great British Care Awards (GBCA).
Phil Orton, from Stockport, is in line for the prestigious accolade in recognition of a 30-year career in care which began as a 17-year-old care assistant in a Congleton residential home.
Now chief of people with the national adult health and social care charity Making Space, Phil is responsible for over 1200 employees across the UK. His commitment and dedication to the care sector have been recognised by judges of the Outstanding Contribution award, which will be presented to an “individual whom the judges believe has made a long-term outstanding contribution to social care.”
Phil has been shortlisted for the North West region, and if he takes home the trophy from the ceremony at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester in November, he’ll go on to the national final in March 2023.
Phil was nominated for the award by Making Space CEO Rachel Peacock. She said: “Phil’s philosophy is simple: whether he’s with a service user or employee, he supports them to be their best.
“He leads with compassion, coaching rather than telling, helping people to identify their strengths and instilling them with the confidence to grow.”
Even before Phil’s first paid position straight from college, he had several years of care experience under his belt. From the age of eight, he spent time happily doing activities with residents with learning disabilities at the home where his parents worked as nurses. He became an official volunteer at 12, which he continued to do after gaining his first job.
At 20, Phil was fast-tracked to a supervisor position. By 25, he was registered manager of a 42-bed residential facility in Holmes Chapel. He educated himself throughout, from NVQs in health and social care and business management, to a master’s degree in business and management, and advanced leadership and coaching qualifications.
Phil worked his way through the management and leadership ranks before joining Making Space in 2017 as executive HR director. His commitment to quality and his vast social care experience saw his role expanded to chief of people, responsible for three departments.
“Phil is a true pioneer in social care,” says Rachel. “As he often says, it’s something that’s always been in his blood and for him it’s a vocation, not a job. Making Space, and, the social care sector, are incredibly lucky to have him. He truly deserves to be nominated for this award in recognition of a lifetime of commitment which continues to go from strength to strength.”
The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. They pay tribute to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work, from frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation.
