Annual Awards

Annual Awards

Nomination guidance and judging information

Introduction

All the information you need to make the most of your nomination.

The United Education Annual Awards is a unique opportunity for us to honour and reward the work of our leaders at all levels across all of our levels and sites in the UK.

Nominating for An Award? Please Read This First

Success at the United Education Annual Awards depends on two factors: the quality of the leaders*, programme or sites you are nominating and the quality of the nomination itself.

If you are nominating yourself, please complete the nomination form with your own details.

Nominations need to be submitted via our dedicated awards platform, which will guide you through several questions aligned to our.

Each award category has specific criteria that you will need to answer questions against to complete your nomination, but please read this general advice first:

  • Check the criteria to ensure you are making a nomination in the correct category.
  • Read the general criteria, which is applicable to all awards, and the ‘what we are looking for’ bullet points below with information specific to each award category.
  • The Untied Education Annual Awards recognises the impact of the leaders, programme or venues.
  • The judging panel can only use the details you provide in the nomination form.
  • Nominees can only be judged in the category they have been nominated in.
  • If a nominee meets the criteria for multiple awards and you wish to nominate them for more than one award, please complete the relevant nomination forms.

Check out these top five tips on making a great nomination:

  1. Be specific! Carefully, review the criteria for the award and each question and make sure to cover all the points. You will find each question has a word count – make it count.
  2. Use tangible stats, examples, and case studies to bring the nomination to life and show the ‘how’ behind your adjectives.
  3. Ask for short testimonials from those connected to your nominee. If you are nominating a leader – ask a camper, colleague, or parent for a short quote to include.
  4. Ask the person you are nominating for some history of their experience and qualifications – it is incredible how much you can learn about them that can add value to your nomination.
  5. Start early, review what is needed, collect supporting pieces, and do not miss the deadline. The nominee may be asked to submit responses by a deadline too.

If you require any support with completing the online form, please email events@united-education.co.uk and a member of the team will be happy to help.

* We use the broad definition of leader and welcome nominations from yourself, or on behalf of leaders, instructors, leaders, teachers, trainers, podcasters and others who support people to achieve their goals. All nomination information is treated as confidential until shortlists and winners are announced by United Education.

NB The period for nominations is 25th July 2022 – 5th September 2022.

Nomination Criteria

All nominations will need to demonstrate how nominees meet the following criteria:

  • connect with and understand people as individuals
  • inclusive in their practice and put welfare, safety and well-being first
  • help people develop a positive attitude towards learning and participation
  • committed to ongoing learning and development of themselves and others

Community Leader of the Year

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a leader who has helped children and young people to meet their needs and aspirations.

We are looking for a leader who:

  • leads children and young people aged 17 and under
  • has had an impact on the health and well-being of the children and young people being lead
  • encourage children and young people to develop into the best versions of themselves.

Change a Life Award

This award recognises a leaders who have empowered and inspired an individual from a diverse community through leadership.

Nominations are warmly welcomed from – but not exclusively – a participant who has had their life changed by a leader. A venue or leader who has recognised another coach who has changed the life of an individual.

We are looking for a leaders who:

  • has been an inspiration to an individual – this could be by encouraging someone from a diverse community to take part in activities or empowering them to improve their life through participation.

Leaders Podcast of the Year

This award recognises a Leader-led podcast that delivers, inspires and informs leadership.

We are looking for leaders who have joined our podcast that has:

  • provided influential, informative and entertaining content
  • reached people who cannot be lead in person either from a geographical, physical or accessible perspective.

Inclusive Leader

This award is for a programme, venue or intervention that uses leadership to get more children from diverse backgrounds engaged in activities.

We are looking for a programme or site intervention that:

  • has developed people’s skills and confidence, and supported them in increasing opportunities for others
  • has engaged and had a positive impact on the local community (increased family participation or improved health and well-being).

Manager of the Year

This award is for a manager that uses exceptional leadership to develop their staff team.

We are looking for a Manager that:

  • has developed people’s skills and confidence, and supported them in increasing opportunities for others
  • has engaged and had a positive impact on the local community (increased family participation or improved health and well-being).

Judging Procedure & Deadline

Shortlisting 

Shortlisting will be managed by United Education.

Shortlisting Group Member Role 

  • Read and assess all nominations in the given category against the stated criteria.
  • Propose the shortlists for consideration by the Judging Panel.

Judging Panel

Purpose

To provide individual recommendations and collective decisions on winners and runners-up in each category. Three finalists will normally be identified. Just two finalists may be identified if, in the opinion of the judging panel, nominations lack the quality or volume to justify three finalists. No award shall be given in any category where, in the opinion of the judging panel, nominations lack the quality or volume to justify an award.

Role of Judging Panel Members

  • To read and assess all shortlisted nominations. 
  • To attend the Judging Panel meeting to discuss and vote using the agreed process. 
  • To abstain from voting in any category where they have a conflict of interest.
  • To maintain confidentiality on the outcome of the judging process. 

Role of the Chair of the Judging Panel

  • Chair the Judging Panel meeting, providing a fair and effective process for winners to be selected.
  • Give the casting vote in the case of a tie.

5th September: Nominations Close at 10:00am

6th September – 13th September: Shortlisting

16th September: Judging Panel Meeting

19th September: Finalists announced

TBC: Annual Awards

Ready to Nominate?

Access our dedicated awards platform by clicking the link below

You will need to create an account to get started, save your progress and submit your nomination

Lets Go