BASW Announces Winners of 2026 Social Work Journalism Awards!
Now in its fourth year, the BASW Social Work Journalism Awards celebrate nuanced, informed and balanced reporting that demonstrates a keen understanding of the profession and the people who use social work services.
Entries and nominations were sought across six categories covering regional and national broadcast and print media, as well as trade press and TV drama. The subjects of adoption and fostering featured prominently in this years' entries, reflecting the wider media focus on this area of social work, in addition to profiteering in children’s social care; neurodivergence; AI; and sadly, how broken adult social care really is. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.
The judging panel consisted of David Brindle, former social affairs editor of The Guardian; Dave Callow, General Secretary of the Social Workers Union; Maggie Fogarty, former Social Work Today reporter, social affairs journalist and television producer; Maria Leedham, an academic who has researched media portrayals of social work, children's social care activist Rebekah Pierre and Shahid Naqvi, editor of Professional Social Work magazine.
The finalists attended a special awards reception at BASW’s annual conference - SOCIAL WORK LIVE - held in Birmingham.
Winners
Trade Press
Anastasia Koutsounia, Community Care, for an article on neurodivergent social workers
Written Journalism in Regional Media
Jonathan Blackburn, the Liverpool Echo, for an article on how cuts to adults services is threatening daytime support for disabled residents
Broadcast in Regional Media
Tania Sangha, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, for an interview with a Rugby woman who was in foster care talking about her experiences and becoming a foster carer herself
Drama
Blue Lights, BBC1, featuring former social worker Grace turned police officer talking about her own background in care with a vulnerable teenage girl
Written Journalism in National Media
Chris Smyth, Jennifer Williams and Alan Smith, the Financial Times, for a joint investigation into profiteering by private providers in children’s homes
National Broadcasting
Nick Martin, Fiona Mackie and Andrew Brown, Sky News, for a spotlight on the lack of care for young adult care leavers as told through the tragic story of one vulnerable young woman
Following the Awards, BASW Interim CEO, Professor Sam Baron commented:
"A huge congratulations to everyone who was recognised for their outstanding contributions to social work journalism. The depth and quality of entries this year was quite incredible.
"Good journalism has the power to change the way we think, the way we act and, ultimately, the way we treat one another. For social work, that power can be particularly significant because the people we support are often those whose voices are least likely to be heard.
"At its best, journalism does more than inform us. It challenges us. It makes us question what we have accepted for too long. It brings hidden injustices into public view and reminds us that behind every policy, every service and every decision are real people whose lives are affected. For social work, that contribution is invaluable and that is why these awards matter."
