Salford academic receives Chief Nursing Officer for Adult Social Care Gold Award

(Picture above shows Vicky MacMillan, Karen Heggs, Prof Claire Pryor, Dr Melanie Stephens, Dr Siobhan Kelly, Prof Vicky Halliwell, Prof Jane McAdam, Caroline Morton, all from the University of Salford)

The award acknowledges Melanie’s strong track record of innovative thinking, problem-solving, upskilling, and sustainability of practice in relation to social care nursing, particularly in relation to social care-led placements.

Melanie leads the interprofessional education (IPE) student training care homes project, which was shortlisted in the 2024 Nursing Times Awards, named a winner in the 2025 Student Nursing Times Awards, and a recipient of the prestigious John Horder Award from the Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education and the Royal Society of Medicine.

The project saw students from nursing, sports rehabilitation and diverse allied health professions placed in care homes, where they worked and learned collaboratively with care home staff and residents to address residents’ goals and promote person-centred, collaborative care.

Melanie has also been instrumental in producing a digital "how to" guide to research - supporting social care nurses to understand and navigate setting up and undertaking research projects.

She has contributed written evidence for the recent health and social care committee on adult social care reform, and has co-authored two editorials discussing the value of social care nursing in education and how parity should be established across health and social care.

On receiving the award, in a surprise presentation, Melanie said: “"I was absolutely overwhelmed and speechless to be awarded this gold award for the work I’ve led on in care homes and developing social care nurses research capacity and capability.

“When Professor Claire Pryor emailed to ask me to attend an urgent meeting on campus I didn't think anything about it. When I went in the room and saw the Chief Nurse Deborah Sturdy and Dr Sarah McGloin from the RCN Foundation on screen and senior colleagues from the school gathered, I thought it must be important.

“I actually cried when Deborah spoke about my work and the reason I was receiving the award. I feel very lucky to work with such fabulous colleagues at the University of Salford and across social care, it is so important that the work that nurses deliver in the sector is recognised."

Professor Claire Pryor, who nominated Melanie for the award, says: “Melanie is a knowledgeable, approachable, compassionate and kind colleague who always goes above and beyond to help support and guide those around her. She is a true advocate for people using social care services. Her sector knowledge of the regional social care landscape ensures that diverse populations are represented in her work, and supports people using social care to have their voices heard.”

This individual recognition follows Melanie being awarded the Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Gold Award as part of the Interprofessional Education Student Training Care Homes Team in January 2025.

The Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Awards have been developed to acknowledge and reward the significant and outstanding contribution made by social care workers and nurses in England. They celebrate nurses and care workers who go above and beyond their everyday roles to provide excellent care, leadership, and inspiration to their colleagues and patients and those who use services.