“Star quality” social worker is Council’s Employee of the Year
Fiona Shevill, a social worker in Inverness, has been chosen as the Council's Employee of the year. She received her prize at the Council's annual Quality Awards, held at the Town House, Inverness, on Thursday night.
Fiona is a member of the Child Health and West Ness Children and Families Team, who works with children with complex health needs.
She was nominated by her line manager, Gillian Forrest, who described Fiona’s work as at all times of a high quality.
Gillian said: “Fiona is conscientious, is a highly regarded member of the team and is always willing to be of assistance to her colleagues within the team. She is highly reliable and is always one of the first members of the team to volunteer to take on additional responsibilities. One of her health colleagues described her as having “star quality”. She is also thoughtful, caring and kind and has the ability to ensure that the needs of the child and family are paramount when they are admitted to hospital due to complex health needs.”
Short-listed for Employee of the Year were Martin Baldie, a caretaker of council properties for the homeless in Inverness, and Rose Ash, the learn to swim co-ordinator at the Craig MacLean Centre, Grantown.
Five members of staff received awards for being commended by their Community Council for special recognition. Snow plough operators Iain MacLeod, Charlie MacKinnon and Simon Miles from Skye were commended by Minginish Community Council for their sterling work last winter in keeping roads open. Katy Lee, a relief teacher in Achfary, Durness, Kinlochbervie, and Scourie, was commended by Scourie Community Council for her outstanding service to her communities and Doreen Wallens, a care at home worker in Ardnamurchan, was singled out for a commendation by Sunart Community Council.
Team of the Year went to the Building Standards Team within the Planning and Development Service for the huge improvement in the service they provide to the public, recognised in a recent external audit.
Trainee of the Year is Alana MacDonald, an environmental health officer in Wick, who was the top student in Scotland in her professional exams, winning three of the seven disciplines on her training course.
Innovation of the Year was won by the Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services for their use of a floating pier to ensure minimal disruption to the Corran Ferry service during the major refurbishment of the slipway at Nether Lochaber.
The awards are sponsored by Fujitsu, Zurich Municipal, Morrison Construction, Bord na Gaidhlig, Viridor, and the Clydesdale Bank.