Active Pathways has been shortlisted for Specialist Services Provider of the Year – Small Group at the 2026 HealthInvestor Awards.
The shortlisting recognises the organisation’s specialist mental health and complex care services across the North of England, where Active Pathways supports adults through integrated care pathways from hospital to community living.
As a specialist complex care provider, Active Pathways delivers inpatient hospital services, residential care, residential care with nursing and enhanced supported living for adults with mental health conditions, autism and learning disabilities. Services are designed to provide psychologically informed environments, clear governance and outcome-focused support that promotes recovery, reduces readmission and enables sustainable transitions into independent living.
Co-production in social care remains central to how Active Pathways operates.
People supported are actively involved in shaping daily routines, activity programmes and service environments. Individuals also contribute to recruitment decisions and participate in the organisation’s Champions Model, structured around five domains: Safe, Responsive, Caring, Effective and Well-Led.
This model brings colleagues and people supported together in structured forums to identify improvements, share lived experience and drive service development grounded in practical realities.
Alongside service development, Active Pathways has prioritised workforce stability, leadership consistency and psychological safety.
During 2025:
- Staff turnover reduced by 17.5%, strengthening continuity of care
- 98.5% of colleagues reported understanding how their role contributes to organisational success
- Strategic Pillars and Team Charters were introduced across every service
- Speak Up, Speak Out and Dignity at Work programmes were embedded organisation-wide
Earlier this year, Active Pathways achieved Investors in People Gold accreditation for the third consecutive time, independently validating its leadership approach, people strategy and cultural maturity.
This recognition reflects an operating model where culture, governance and care that are intentionally aligned.
In addition to the HealthInvestor shortlisting, Active Pathways was also represented at the National Final of the Great British Care Awards, recognising excellence across the social care sector.
These national acknowledgements reflect the organisation’s continued commitment to delivering specialist mental health rehabilitation services that are sustainable, partnership-led and grounded in lived experience.
Winners of the HealthInvestor Awards will be announced later in 2026.
