Recognising Excellence in Social Care
The Department of Health and Social Care is actively seeking nominations from across the health and care system for both New Year and Birthday Honours.
The Department of Health and Social Care has highlighted that millions work and volunteer in health and care, many going above and beyond daily. However, much of this work is not recognised formally through the honours system.
VODG encourages members to nominate colleagues, people they support, carers and others who have made exceptional contributions to social care.
Key Deadlines and Process
While deadlines are published – end of August for Birthday Honours, end of February for New Years Honours - nominations can be made all year round.
After submission, nominees undergo checks by various government departments over 12 to 18 months. Honours committees review qualifying nominations before recommendations proceed to the Prime Minister and subsequently to the King.
When you are submitting a nomination form specifically for social care, please send it to [email protected] instead of the email found on the nomination form.
Nominating someone
Seniority is not important - what matters is the person's achievements and sustained impact on people's health or care over time.
Anyone can make a nomination, and anyone actively involved in their field can be nominated, regardless of nationality.
Previous honours recipients may receive higher recognition, typically after five years.
Crucially, people who draw on care and support services and unpaid carers are equally eligible. Their lived experience in shaping policy and driving change represents vital but often overlooked contributions worthy of recognition.
The system operates through various levels: KBE/DBE (Knight/Dame Commander), CBE (Commander), OBE (Officer), MBE (Member), and BEM (British Empire Medal).
What Makes a Strong Nomination
The most critical element is the long citation, limited to 2,700 characters including spaces. Rather than describing roles, focus on demonstrable impact by addressing key questions:
- What makes this person special? What have they achieved? How did they make a difference and what was the impact? Have they overcome obstacles or gone the extra mile? Could they be described as a role model?
- Effective nominations demonstrate how circumstances changed through the nominee's involvement, whether such changes would have occurred without them, and the extent to which peers value their contributions.
- A recommended structure includes a compelling summary of most significant achievements, evidence of work beyond standard duties, specific contributions with supporting facts and figures, and additional context justifying recognition.
The honours system values varied achievements including making a difference to communities, enhancing Britain's reputation, long-term voluntary service, innovation, improving life for those less able to help themselves, and displaying moral courage.
Support Available
VODG encourages members to consider who within their networks has made exceptional contributions worthy of national recognition.
By increasing nominations from social care, we can ensure the transformational work supporting disabled people to live independent lives receives appropriate acknowledgement through this national system.
Please let us know if you need advice on submitting a nomination, would like to request a supporting statement by VODG or proofreading support.
Please also see the Government website for more information on Honours nominations.
A copy of this briefing is also available to download.