Finalists revealed for the BASW Social Work Journalism Awards 2026

The awards celebrate accurate and nuanced reporting that demonstrates an informed understanding of social work
journalism awards

BASW is pleased to announce the finalists for the BASW Social Work Journalism Awards 2026 in recognition of high-quality journalism featuring social work across the UK. 

Now in its fourth year, the awards are a wider campaign by BASW and the Social Workers Union (SWU) to improve the public’s perception of social work. Entries and nominations were sought across six categories covering mainstream print, broadcast and trade journalism, as well as trade press and television shows. 

The shortlisted finalists have been invited to attend an awards reception at the end of BASW’s annual conference in Birmingham on 27 October 2026. The finalists are:

  • Written journalism in national media

Chris Smyth, Adam Smith and Jennifer Williams, for How England’s vulnerable children became a gold mine for investors – The Financial Times: An in-depth investigation into profiteering by private providers of children’s homes 

Caroline Scott, for No parents, no home, no job: what happens when kids in care turn 18 – The Sunday Times: a feature exploring the plight of young care leavers facing adulthood alone with support cut off 

Josh Halliday, for Matilda in pieces: what one mother’s suicide reveals about the carers broken by the system – The Guardian: A social justice article highlighting the pressure parents caring for children with disabilities face and the lack of support on offer

  • Written journalism in regional media 

Jonathan Blackburn, for Wirral families in ‘constant fight’ for ‘critical lifeline’– Liverpool Echo: An intimate look at the potential impact of Wirral Council’s mooted cutting services for disabled adults 

Joe Locker, for 'Broken’ care system costing Nottingham taxpayers £1m a week for private firms to look after vulnerable children – Nottingham Post: A revealing article looking at privatisation of children’s homes 

ITV Cymru news team, for It’s just not enough’: Calls for more support for families with autistic children – ITV Cymru Wales: A very personal take, with heartfelt interviews, on parents wanting more support to help their children with additional needs 

  • Broadcast journalism in national media 

Niall Paterson and Nick Martin, for 'Unseen – A Girl Called Nonita' – Sky News: the tragic story of a young woman who took her own life after being taken out of the care system once she reached 18

Finestripe Productions, for 'Stolen Babies' – BBC Scotland: A look at the history and impact of forced adoptions 

Claire Kendall, Ashley Kennedy and Judith Mortiz for Adoption - The Blame Game – 'File On 4 Investigates' (BBC Radio 4): Parents accuse authorities of threats and blame as 1,000 adopted children are returned to care 

  • Broadcast journalism in regional media 

Matt Knight, for his Adoption report – BBC Essex: reporting on the lack of post adoption support for adoptive parents, families and adoptees, including interviews with leading social workers 

Marina Jenkins, for ‘How adoption changed Britain’ – ITV News West Country: An exploration of the long - and sometimes dark - history of adoption in Britain, asking whether the system is now creaking under strain 

Tania Sangha, for ‘I wouldn’t have coped without my sister in foster care’: BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: A personal story of a mother who was in foster care as a child, and then became a foster carer as an adult 

  • Trade press news

Anastasia Koutsounia, for How neurodivergent social workers shifted a service's attitude towards supporting and hiring staff – Community Care: A deep dive into neurodiversity in the workforce and how it can be misunderstood and under supported 

Derren Hayes, for Furore over youth sentences reveals tension between rehabilitation and punishment – Children & Young People Now: An often overlooked area of children’s services is examined in full and questions the status quo https://www.cypnow.co.uk/content/analysis/furore-over-youth-sentences-reveals-tension-between-rehabilitation-and-punishment

Joe Lepper, for Experts raise concerns about children’s services deadline – Municipal Journal: Raises the alarm from council children’s services struggling to meet a government deadline to overhaul family support 

  • Drama

Blue Lights (series 3, episode 1 & 4) – BBC One: former social worker and police officer, Grace, comes across a young person she was involved with in the past from her time working in a children's home, while a second storyline involves child protection of a baby 

Trying – BBC One: A program dealing with a couple trying to adopt with a scene from an adoption panel featuring a supportive social worker 

Emmerdale (series 54) – ITV: a storyline involving a social worker trying to help a young vulnerable teenager caught up in drugs dealing