Pictured above: (L to R): Jeremy Huband, director of Healthcare, London for NatWest Bank - sponsors of the award, TV personality Fiona Phillips and Rachael Guthrie, team leader at Innova House.

A Nottinghamshire care provider has scooped two awards at this year's Great British National Care Home Awards.

Rachael Guthrie and Hayley Pell from Mansfield-based Innova House, a leading independent provider of professional care and support services for men, women and adolescents, beat off the challenge from care professionals across the UK to win the titles of Care Newcomer and Ancillary Worker of the Year respectively at this year's Great British National Care Home Awards.

Innova House was the only organisation to win two categories at this year's awards, which promote best practice within the care sector and pays tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work. 

In order to reach the national finals, team leader Rachael and premises assistant Hayley had already seen off their local rivals by winning their respective categories at the Great East Midlands Care Awards, which took place last October at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.

They were then required to attend a second interview in London along with the winners of the 10 regional awards.

The pair were presented with their awards by TV personality Fiona Phillips at a gala dinner at The Guildhall in London, which was attended by 500 members of the care sector. 

Rachael, (21), joined Innova House after completing her studies at West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield and at just 20 years old, became the centre's youngest team leader.

Hayley (46), joined Innova House as premises assistant in 2008 and provides a number of key services, including general house-keeping, audit, health and safety and staff training. 

Commenting on Rachael and Hayley's success, Steve Koban, CEO at Innova House, said: "We were delighted to win the East Midlands awards last year and had high hopes for at least one of our team winning at national level, but to have them both receive one of the most prestigious accolades in the industry is an amazing achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of our whole team, who make a real difference to the lives of so many people."