ST HELENS Council Staff who provide vital services to the most vulnerable people across the borough have been recognised at an award ceremony.

Employees from Adult Social Care and Health celebrated their achievements at the fourth annual awards ceremony held at the World of Glass.

Almost 300 staff and senior officers attended to recognise the hard work and achievements of staff working with clients and partner agencies.

The awards are all the more special as nominations are submitted by clients and partner agencies with regard to the quality of individual workers and teams.

Categories and winners were as follows: Positive Outcomes for Service Users: Winners - Day Opportunity Services for People with a Learning Disability.

Provider Services: Winners -Supported Living Service.

Special Award: Winners - Homes for Older People.

Innovation through Partnership: Winners - Reablement and Rapid Response Team.

Support Services: Winners - Customer Finance Team.

Care Management: Winners - Physical and Sensory Disability Team.

Councillor Suzanne Knight, the council's Executive Member of Adult Social Care and Health, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners. These awards recognise the vital role our staff play in the lives of the most vulnerable people in our communities. There is no better endorsement of how good a service is than by asking the people who use that service.

"The help and support given by the staff in Social Care makes such a difference to so many lives, and people who receive those services have now had a chance to thank them by nominating them for an award."