BASW Recognises Inspirational Social Work
The Social Worker of the Year awards took place on Friday 4 November.
Presented by broadcast journalist and TV presenter, Ashley John-Baptiste, this was the first in-person ceremony since 2019
The event recognises the challenging and life-changing work that social workers do every day and celebrates their collective and individual achievements. Countless stories of exceptional social work, creative and compassionate practitioners and outstanding practice were shared throughout the evening.
BASW England Chair, Vava Tampa provided the keynote speech welcoming guests and speakers to the ceremony.
Vava took the opportunity to thank all social workers everywhere for the incredible work they do every day. He also highlighted the enormous pressures on the profession and why we need a nationwide recruitment campaign, funded and coordinated centrally by the government, to recruit and maintain enough social workers to ease demand. This must be achieved alongside better pay, protection, respect, an increase in their car mileage allowance, and less red tape. Vava reiterated BASW’s commitment to campaigning for these outcomes.
Over 90 practitioners, teams and organisations were nominated in 17 award categories. BASW sponsored the Practice Educator of the Year & Social Justice Advocate Award, with BASW UK Chair, Julia Ross and BASW CEO Ruth Allen presenting the awards.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. 29 of the 65 individual nominees are BASW members, with more involved in the team award categories. The following BASW members won individual awards:
- Momoh Etunu Suleman - Silver Award, Student Social Worker of the Year
- Anna Boddy - Silver Award, Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year
- Helen Southgate - Gold Award, Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year
- Skerntian Keri - Silver Award, Newly Qualified Children's Social Worker of the Year
- Amy White - Gold Award, Newly Qualified Children's Social Worker of the Year
- Roz Ryder - Silver Award, Practice Educator of the Year
- Carolyn Smith - Gold Award, Practice Educator of the Year
- Tom Woodd - Silver Award, Team Leader of the Year, Adult Services
- Charlotte Elliot - Gold Award, Supporting Children in Education Award
- Lynn Counter - Silver Award, Mental Health Social Worker of the Year
- Tara Mitchell - Gold Award, Mental Health Social Worker of the Year
- Clare Fisk - Silver Award, Adult Social Worker of the Year
- Annmarie Nero - Gold Award, Children's Social Worker of the Year
- Sarah Lowe - Gold Award, Lifetime Achievement Award
In addition, awards judge and BASW guest Andrew Reece was part of the winning Team of the Year for Adult Services and overall Social Worker of the Year.