The Guardian

The Guardian's Public Services Awards 2010 is now inviting entries. The awards, which are now in their seventh year, comprise 12 team awards divided into two categories:

 

• Service delivery
• Innovation and progress.

The awards aim to recognise public servants working in areas ranging from children and young people to older people, housing and regeneration, and transport.

Each category is open to teams providing public services, whether employed by the private, statutory or voluntary sector. This year, there is a new category - skills development - which rewards those employers that are extending the skills base of the public services workforce, and developing flexible working.

There is also an award for citizenship and volunteering for organisations facilitating and encouraging staff to undertake community work. And again this year, there is a special award for Public Servant of the Year, which allows readers to vote for an ­individual who has gone that extra mile in delivering public services.

The Complex Needs Category is once again supported by the National Mental Health Development Unit.  

Growing numbers of people of working age have complex needs. They may have a mental health problem, addiction issues or a learning disability. Here's a rare opportunity to honour innovative work in this difficult field.

Full Details on all the categories and online entries visit the awards website