Entries are open for the 2022 Social Worker of the Year Awards
The Social Work Awards has announced that entries are now officially open for the 2022 Social Worker of the Year Awards with 17 exciting categories to enter.
Following last year’s return of the awards, the Social Work Awards aims to shine a light on the often-hidden achievements of a compassionate profession. The Awards recognise social workers in England that have made an exceptional difference in the lives of people they support.
The charity which organises the Social Worker of the Year Awards is encouraging practitioners and social work teams across the country to submit their nominations.
There are 17 award categories to enter across adult and children’s services including returning awards ‘Adult Social Worker of the Year’ and ‘Team Leader of the Year’, and categories introduced last year, including ‘Social Justice Advocate’.
The charity has also introduced two new additions, ‘Supporting Children in Education Award’ and ‘Digital Transformation in Social Work Award’ to highlight the impact the pandemic has had on children and families and how technology now plays a big part in helping social work teams.
‘Supporting Children in Education’ focuses on recognising the disruptive impact of the pandemic on the lives and education of children and nominees will need to demonstrate the work undertaken to support children and families to raise aspirations and achieve school attendance.
‘Digital Transformation in Social Work’ will look at individual social workers, social work teams or local authorities which have sought to improve the lives of people with lived experience using digital technologies.
Peter Hay CBE, Chair of the Social Work Awards, said: “Social work is such an important and demanding profession. The Social Worker of the Year Awards provide the opportunity for us to celebrate the extraordinary work carried out by those who work in the sector in England. If you know an inspiring social worker, make sure you let them know by nominating them this year.”
Nominations are now open and will close on 24 June 2022. The full list of categories can be found at www.socialworkawards.com.
Social workers from across England will be recognised at an awards ceremony in London in November 2022 with exclusive invitation to a reception at the Houses of Parliament in March 2023.
Once entries close, during the summer, an independent judging panel will judge the nominations and choose the winners. The board of trustees will then decide on the ‘Overall Social Worker of the Year (the winner of winners)’.
The shortlist will be announced at the end of August with the opportunity for social workers to buy tickets to the ceremony throughout September and October.
The charity is inviting local authorities, universities, and other sector companies to get involved in this year’s awards by signing up to be a sponsor.
Starting from just £2,500, sponsoring the event will give organisations the chance to promote their support of social work and commitment to continuous professional improvement of the social work community. To find out more about sponsorship, email awards@socialworkawards.com.
To nominate an inspirational social worker, visit: https://socialworkawards.awardsplatform.com/dashboard