Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Award

Learning Disability Nurses aim to support the wellbeing and social inclusion of people with learning disabilities to maintain and maximise physical and mental health. They also work to reduce the barriers to social inclusion, so supporting the individual to pursue a fulfilling life. 

Mental Health Nurses work with people of all ages, from childhood through adulthood to old age. As well as supporting people with mental illness, they have an important role to play in the mental health promotion of individuals and the wider community. Mental Health Nurses work as part of wider multidisciplinary and interagency teams to plan and deliver mental healthcare, ranging from promoting emotional and mental wellbeing through to supporting people with acute mental illness.

About the award: This award aims to recognise an exceptional Registered Learning Disability Nurse of Registered Mental Health Nurse who is being recognised for their innovative and creative approach to the care of people within these specialities.

Who can be nominated?

Registered Learning Disability or Mental Health Nurses who are:

• Working at any level within a clinical role or managing clinical services within Wales 
• Practising in any sector for example: Independent Health and Social Care Sector, Third Sector, NHS or Local Authority
• May be working with children, young people, adults or older people
• Diversity in nominees is encouraged to reflect the workforce in Wales

Criteria

• Able to demonstrate that their work is commensurate with national policy and strategy within health and social care
• Through effective leadership is able to demonstrate a positive contribution to an innovative development that has made a difference to people receiving care
• Use of a credible evidence-base and / or developing an evidence base to under pin their work for the project for which they are being nominated
• Able to demonstrate a safe governance framework for the service or innovation being described for which they are being nominated
• Able to clearly demonstrate the benefits the work has had for patients, clients, families and colleagues
• Through service evaluation, patient involvement and / or other means, is able to demonstrate a positive impact 
• Show commitment to and passion for the nursing profession, going the “extra mile” demonstrating a “can do” positive attitude

What makes a winning entry? - top tips to make you nomination stand out from the crowd!

Please read the nomination guidance note before beginning your submission. 

We also have short video guides available: The Basics; Making your application shine; and Patient nominations. You can watch all guidance videos on our RCN Wales Youtube Channel

• Tell us why you are nominating this person by using the full 500-word limit for your submission. The more detailed you are the better so make full use of the word count given to you!
• Start with their success: What’s the headline? What are you proud of? Start with the attention-grabbing success to hook the judges immediately 
• When writing your 500 words, please refer to the award criteria for the category you are nominating for and hit each point mentioned by providing solid evidence. that way, you’ll increase your chances of your nomination being shortlisted!
• Please tell us specifically how your nominee has gone over and above the requirements of their role, and/or how they have made significant contributions to their field of work.
• Lastly but not least, check your spelling and grammar! Professionalism and care are equally as important in your nominations! Spell out any acronyms to be as clear to the judges as possible, don’t make any assumptions that they know what you’re talking about!

We also encourage patient nominations; we want to hear about how your experience of excellent nursing care has touched your lives. This could be yourself, a family member or someone who is making a difference in your local community!  Contact RCN Wales if you would like help in choosing a category to nominate. NurseoftheYearAwards@rcn.org.uk

Diversity in nominees is encouraged to reflect the workforce in Wales across all areas of nursing; Independent Health and Social Care Sector, Third Sector, NHS, or Local Authority.