Finalists announced for the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2026

64 outstanding social workers, teams and organisations have been named as finalists in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2026, as the Awards celebrate their 20th anniversary.

The finalists have been selected across 14 categories, recognising exceptional practice and achievements across children’s and adult social work in England.

This year’s shortlist follows a rigorous judging process involving independent panels made up of leading professionals from across the sector, previous award winners and people with lived experience of social work.

Judges considered the impact nominees have made on the people and communities they support, as well as examples of outstanding practice, leadership, innovation and commitment to the profession.

The 2026 Awards are particularly significant as the charity marks 20 years since it was established by social worker Beverley Williams MBE in 2006.

Since then, the Awards have championed thousands of social workers and teams and helped to shine a spotlight on the skill, dedication and positive impact of the profession.

Peter Hay CBE, Chair of the Social Worker of the Year Awards, said: “Reaching our 20th year gives us an opportunity not only to look back at everything the Awards have achieved, but also to celebrate the extraordinary social work taking place across the country today.

“Being shortlisted is a tremendous achievement. Our judges were once again struck by the quality of the nominations and the powerful examples of compassionate, creative and determined social work they contained.

“Congratulations to every one of our 2026 finalists and thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a colleague, team or organisation and help us recognise the very best of the profession.”

The Social Worker of the Year Awards 2026 are proudly supported by Headline Sponsor BASW England, Public Sector Sponsor UNISON and Award Sponsors Cafcass, Essex County Council, WM ADASS, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Norfolk County Council, Gloucestershire County Council and NIHR.

Sam Baron, Interim CEO of BASW, said: “BASW England is proud to be sponsoring the Social Worker of the Year awards on its landmark 20th anniversary.

“The awards present an important opportunity to recognise the outstanding breadth of social work practice that is making a life-changing impact across our diverse communities every day. We’re grateful to all social workers who make it happen – your hard work and commitment is seen and appreciated.

“Thank you to everyone who has taken a moment to nominate a colleague or team for an award and good luck to all the finalists. It will be a great privilege to join you at the awards ceremony to celebrate your achievements and champion our profession together.”

As the Awards celebrate their 20th anniversary, sponsorship opportunities are still available for organisations wishing to support the profession and be part of this milestone year. Visit Become a Sponsor – Social Worker of the Year Awards to find out more.

Gold and Silver award recipients will be announced at a special 20th anniversary Awards Reception in London in October.

Congratulations to all our 2026 finalists. Follow the celebrations on social media using #SWA26.

Social Worker of the Year Awards 2026 finalists:

Adult Social Worker of the Year

  • Kelly Loan – Sunderland City Council
  • Jodie Gooday – Essex County Council
  • Vicky Wilson – Stockton on Tees Borough Council
  • Abbie Juffs – Octopus Energy
  • Sarah Burns – Sunderland City Council

Children’s Social Worker of the Year Award

  • Rangeley Shallis-Barnes – West Sussex County Council
  • Thomas Edwards – Buckinghamshire County Council / Furze Down School
  • Natasha Bello – Central Bedfordshire Council
  • Nana Yabbey-Hagan – Redbridge Council

Social Justice Champion Award, Sponsored by BASW England

  • Leesah Edwards – Black & Diverse Safeguarding Professionals CIC
  • Shantel B Thomas – Anti Racist Movement CIC
  • ParentAssess – ParentAssess
  • Patriche Bentick – Camden Council
  • Debonico Aleski Brandy-Williams – Brandy Williams Limited

Team of the Year, Adult Services Award, Sponsored by UNISON

  • Quality, Practice and Service Development Team – West Sussex County Council
  • Changing Futures Wellbeing Team – Essex County Council
  • Kerry Ball, Anika Hasan, Natalie Gibson & Carli Casey: Forensic inpatient social workers – Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust
  • Octopus Energy Social work team – Octopus Energy

Team of the Year, Children’s Services Award, Sponsored by UNISON

  • Redbridge Multi-Agency Child Protection Team – Redbridge Council
  • Birmingham and Solihull FDAC Service – Birmingham Children’s Trust
  • Lewisham – Integrated Adolescent Service – Lewisham Council
  • FDAC – Liverpool City Council

Practice Leadership and Management, Adult Services Award

  • Rita Modza – London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
  • Jennifer Benbow – West Sussex County Council
  • Fiona Anderson – Independent Social Worker
  • Lesley Howell – Sunderland City Council
  • Matthew Peaker – Hampshire County Council

Practice Leadership and Management, Children’s Services Award

  • Shantel Thomas – Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
  • Louise Spragg – Telford and Wrekin Council
  • Ahmed Saliu – Hertfordshire County Council
  • Mahfuzul Khan – London Borough of Newham
  • Nana Yabbey-Hagan – Redbridge Council

Social Work Student of the Year

  • Danielle Helm – Manchester Metropolitan University/Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
  • Stacie Finnegan – Wolverhampton University
  • Cherelle Miller – University of Huddersfield
  • Polly Green – University of Hull/Change Grow Live

Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Mark Harvey – Southend-on-Sea City Council
  • Sidiq Ali – Bradford Children and Families Trust
  • Dave Fry – Croydon Council
  • Errol Chambers – Lewisham Council

Mental Health Social Worker of the Year Award

  • Stephen Noble – Sunderland City Council
  • Nala Gunstone – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
  • Karen Golding – West Sussex County Council
  • Janine Cooper – Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council

Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year

  • Nneamaka Uti – Rochdale Council
  • Imogen Strutt – West London NHS Trust
  • Sev Huggins – Gloucestershire County Council
  • Jade McKeown – Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Abolanle Shoda – Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Kerri Mullaney – North Yorkshire Council

Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker of the Year

  • Becky Catchpole – Cafcass
  • Cara Aldersley – Liverpool City Council
  • Louise Irons – Birmingham Children’s Trust
  • Shenna Rush – Cumberland Council
  • Shona McLaughlin – West Sussex County Council

Practice Educator of the Year Award

  • Liz Hennessy – Brighton and Hove City Council
  • Jane Phillips – Shropshire Council
  • Katy Cleece – Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
  • Natesha Yanguba – Croydon Council
  • Nadine Boyne – Independent Social Worker

Practitioner-Led Research Award

  • Cumberland Academy
  • Dr Philip Archard
  • Practice Standards and Quality Team
  • Lucy Jacobs – London Borough of Bromley

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