A team member from a Norfolk care home is in the running for a prestigious national award.

Jo Allison from Olive House care home in Newton Flotman has been announced as a finalist in the UK's National Care Awards.

The National Care Awards are organised by leading care publication, Caring Times, and celebrate the very best people in the long-term care sector, highlighting excellence and rewarding those who work tirelessly to provide consistently outstanding care.

Jo is a senior carer at the home and has been shortlisted in the hotly contested Carer of the Year'category. She has worked at the home for 12 years, working her way up from the position of carer to senior carer.

The home provides a range of residential and respite services for up to 45 residents with a range of needs.

Jo is responsible for supporting residents in going about their daily routines, providing them with the personal care and medical support needed to help them lead a fulfilling life.

As a senior carer, Jo also supports and mentors care assistants, working as part of a team and under the leadership of the head of care and the home's manager.

Many of the home's residents live with dementia and her ability to support and understand their needs was a central part of her nomination.

Home manager Kerry Gooda said: 'For Jo, you really see her skills come to the fore when she is supporting someone who lives with dementia. She has a wonderful way – almost a sixth sense – for knowing what they want to achieve.

'I am so delighted that Jo has been recognised in this way. Judges have selected her from hundreds of entries from carers all over the country and she should be extremely proud. I know that every resident and member of staff at Olive House is exceptionally proud of her.'

A judging day will take place on October 12 and finalists are invited to an awards ceremony in London in November.