Celebrating our Sector:

Innovation, Collaboration and the Future of Social Care

Wednesday 15th October 2025, Sprowston Manor

An exciting event bringing together leaders and providers from across Norfolk’s adult social care sector.


Celebrating Our Sector: Innovation, Collaboration and the Future of Social Care was a unique gathering that blended inspiration, recognition and hearing from expert speakers such as Dr Jane Townson OBE into one afternoon of meaningful connection. The event featured networking opportunities, and a celebratory awards ceremony recognising individuals and teams making a real difference across the county.

Norfolk Care Awards 2025 Winners

Norfolk Care Awards 2025 Winners

Keynote Speaker


We were thrilled to welcome Dr Jane Townson OBE, who shared insights on the shifting landscape of adult social care, drawing on her expertise in home care and across the wider sector. She explored the latest policy and political developments, the importance of strong sector voices in influencing change, and the opportunities ahead for all types of providers to innovate and thrive.


Dr Jane Townson OBE is CEO of the Homecare Association. She has extensive experience in the social care, health, housing, and technology sectors. Formerly, she was Chair of the Care Provider Alliance; Chair of the Board of Kraydel; CEO Somerset Care Group; Chairman YourLife (JV with McCarthy & Stone); Vice Chair UKHCA; and Senior Independent Director of the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Jane spent the first 14 years of her career in international leadership roles in research and development at ICI, AstraZeneca, and Syngenta. At Syngenta, she held the position of Global Head of Bioscience Research. She then founded her own business, providing education and training on the link between lifestyle factors and long-term health.


Meet our Innovators Panel

This special session gave attendees the chance to hear directly from fellow providers about the innovations they’ve introduced and the real impact on their organisations. Alongside showcasing these initiatives, panel members shared their broader innovation journeys by highlighting successes, challenges, and key learning along the way.


We’re delighted to confirm the first panellists:

  • Home Instead Norwich – using “Betty”, a simulation dummy, to support care quality and enhance client experience.
  • ArmsCare – implementing acoustic monitoring from Earzz, to reduce falls and improve sleep quality.
  • Equal Care - cooperative home care business model that shifts power into the hands of people involved in individual care relationships.

Our Exhibitors

Our Headline Sponsor

Our award Finalists!

We’re delighted to announce the finalists for this year’s Norfolk Care Awards! The standard of nominations was outstanding, making it a challenging task to narrow down the shortlist. Congratulations to all those who were nominated - your dedication and impact across the sector truly shine.

Join us on the 15th of October when winners will be announced!

As part of our event, we were delighted to present a selection of awards recognising the people and teams who are making an exceptional contribution to adult social care in Norfolk.


Anyone could make a nomination - colleagues, managers, unpaid carers, and members of the public - anyone who wished to shine a light on the outstanding work happening across our sector.


View our award categories below.

Celebrating our Sector

Harold Bodmer Lifetime Achievement


This special award will be presented to an individual who has made a long-term outstanding contribution to adult social care in Norfolk. Someone who has made a significant contribution to the advancement or development of care practices in the local area.


The individual presented with this award will have demonstrated great personal commitment and dedication to the service they deliver and to care and support services in their local area.


Sponsored by Norfolk County Council

Innovation in Social Care

This award is for individuals, teams, or organisations introducing creative solutions, new ideas, or digital innovation that improve care outcomes or ways of working.


This covers:


  • Tech, systems and day-to-day service changes.
  • In house champions and other training roles.
  • Finding a creative route to ongoing issues (e.g., time and cost saving solutions).

Outstanding Leadership

Recognising leadership at any level in adult social care who inspire through action, foster collaboration, and champion innovative approaches to care.


These individuals lead with vision, empower their teams, and actively shape the future of the sector through inclusive, values-driven leadership.


Sponsored by Howes Percival

Inspiring Individual

This award recognises an individual who has helped promote social care and raise awareness of its importance within the wider health and care economy.


They may go above and beyond in quiet, consistent ways, making a lasting difference through their dedication and commitment.

Improving Quality in Social Care

This award recognises a team who are continually improving their services to ensure the best quality of care for the people they support, working in partnership with families and unpaid carers.


Click here to view the full award criteria.

Collaboration in Social Care

This award recognises successful collaborations across teams, providers, or with people who draw on care and support that result in better outcomes or shared solutions.


Sponsored by NICHE | UEA

When submitting your nomination, please keep in mind:


  • The judges will base their decisions only on the information in your completed nomination form and any supporting evidence you choose to provide. All nominations will be redacted and judged blind.
  • We encourage you to give as much detail as possible, including references and examples of impact, so the judges can clearly see why your nominee stands out.
  • Supporting evidence such as videos, photographs, or feedback is welcome, but not essential.
  • You may submit nominations for multiple categories, but each nomination must be made on a separate form.
  • The same individual or team can be nominated for more than one award category, but cannot be nominated more than once in the same category.


All nominees must be working within Norfolk’s adult social care sector, in line with the criteria outlined for each award.


Download Full Award Criteria