Three Shropshire Council social care teams in final for the Social Worker of the Year Awards

Three of Shropshire Council’s social care teams have been named as finalists for the Social Worker of the Year Awards.

Social Worker of the Year Awards

The council’s Stepping Stones Service is a finalist for Children’s Team of the Year, South Shropshire Community Social Work team are finalists for Adults Team of the Year and Shropshire Council Anti-Racism Forum (SCARF) is up for the Social Justice Champion Award.

Finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges, including previous award winners, social workers, sector leaders and people with lived experience of social work. The winners will be revealed at a special event on Friday 17 October at The Midland Hotel in Manchester.

Now in its 19th year, the Social Worker of the Year Awards is the only major national awards event for social work in England. It celebrates outstanding achievements in the profession and aims to improve public understanding of the challenging and rewarding work social workers do every day.

There are 18 Awards, as well as the ‘Overall Social Worker of the Year’ which is chosen by the Board of Trustees from all the gold-winning entries.

Categories include returning favourites like Mental Health Social Worker of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award and three new additions, International Social Work, and Practice Leadership and Management for Children and Adults.

Speaking about the announcement, Peter Hay CBE, Chair of the Social Work Awards, said:

“Our heartfelt congratulations to all the Shropshire Council finalists. Being shortlisted is a powerful endorsement of their contribution to social work. This recognition honours not only their dedication but the values that drive the whole profession; compassion, resilience and a commitment to change.”

Tanya Miles, Shropshire Council executive director said:

“For Shropshire this is the first time that it has had three finalists in the Awards so is a significant achievement.

“My congratulations to all of the teams involved and thanks for all the work they do to improve outcomes for the people of Shropshire.”

Cllr Ruth Houghton said:

“As portfolio holder for both Children’s Social Care and Adult Social Care I am delighted that the excellent practice of our teams, and of our anti-racism staff forum has been recognised nationally.

“Included in the nominations were statements of support from partner agencies, staff, and most importantly the people we serve.

“The two teams who have been nominated were described as excellent, outstanding, amazing, kind, effective and professional.  Likewise, the staff forum was described as unique, extraordinary, effective and life-changing.

“I could not be prouder and I wish the teams every success at Award night.”

For more information about the Awards, visit: https://www.socialworkawards.com.

Note to editors:

• The Social Work Awards Ltd is a charitable organisation seeking to improve the awareness, understanding and reputation of the social care sector. The registered charity number is 1144458.
• The Board of Trustees: Peter Hay CBE, Ana Popovici, Rob Mitchell MBE, Gary Spencer-Humphrey, Vava Tampa, Brian Mitchell, Sherry Malik, Jon Glasby, Lisa Buttar and Dr Clenton Farquharson MBE.
• The awards are open to qualified practitioners throughout England with a range of individual and team categories for those working in both children’s and adult departments.
• For more information about the Social Work Awards, visit socialworkawards.com