Social Worker of the Year Award Winners 2025

Almost 400 guests came together at The Midland Hotel, Manchester, on Friday 17 October to celebrate the very best in social work at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025.

The Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the profession, shining a light on those who go above and beyond to transform lives. Established in 2006 by independent social work practitioner Beverley Williams MBE, the charity-led event has grown to become one of the most significant celebrations of social work in England.

This year’s Overall Social Worker of the Year – chosen by the charity’s Board of Trustees from all category winners – was awarded to Sophia Hussain, who also received the Adult Social Worker of the Year Award.

Sophia is the Honour-Based Abuse Lead within the Reach Out Domestic Abuse Service at Redbridge Local Authority. Her expertise, compassion and leadership have transformed how agencies work together to support survivors of domestic abuse and honour-based violence.

Her creative problem-solving, calm leadership and unwavering commitment to trauma-informed, culturally competent practice have shaped safer and stronger outcomes for individuals and families across East London.

Through her collaboration with Sikh Women’s Aid and the police, Sophia helped establish new gold-standard protocols for high-risk cases involving coercive control and technology-facilitated abuse – an approach now being replicated across several boroughs.

Speaking about her win, Sophia Hussain said:

“I didn’t think I’d win anything so I’m over the moon! When you’re practicing, you don’t really think of these things, you just know you’re fighting the good fight and you’re trying your best to try and change someone else’s life, the best that you can. I just feel so honoured.”

Peter Hay CBE, Chair of Trustees for the Social Worker of the Year Awards, said:

“The Awards are a powerful reminder of the difference social workers make to people’s lives every single day. They shine a light on the dedication and compassion that drive our profession forward. It’s a privilege to celebrate these remarkable achievements and to thank our sponsors for supporting this incredibly important event.”

The evening saw 19 categories recognised, celebrating exceptional social workers, teams, students and educators across England.

Professor Sam Baron, Interim Chief Executive, Director Wales and England, BASW England:

“On behalf of BASW England, congratulations to everyone who has been nominated and won awards this year.

“These awards are not only an opportunity to champion your achievements but also shine a spotlight on the positive difference that amazing social work practice makes to people’s lives. Whether it’s advancing people’s rights and challenging injustices, to advocating for fairness and promoting wellbeing, the role of social work has never been more important.

“We’re proud to have such a richly diverse profession that pulls together to uphold the ethics and values of social work. From students and newly qualified, to educators, researchers, generic and specialist practitioners, professional leaders and experienced social workers engaged in direct practice, your contributions are recognised and appreciated.

“We also express our deepest thanks to social workers across the country for all they do every day to support and advocate for individuals, families, and communities

“It has been a great privilege to join you all this evening in celebrating our profession, hearing inspiring stories of exceptional social work in action, and to pay tribute to the many individual and collective successes that deserve to be noticed and applauded.”

The Awards were hosted by BBC North West Tonight presenter Annabel Tiffin, and supported by headline sponsor BASW England, alongside category sponsors from across the social work sector.

ENDS

Notes to Editor: 

Interviews and more photographs are available upon request. Please contact PLMR Genesis team at awards@socialworkawards.com.

About the Social Work Awards:

The Social Work Awards Ltd is a charitable organisation seeking to improve the awareness, understanding and reputation of the social care sector. The registered charity number is 1144458.

The awards are open to qualified practitioners throughout England with a range of individual and team categories for those working in both children’s and adult departments.

For more information about the Social Work Awards, visit www.socialworkawards.com

 2025 Gold and Silver Winners:

Adult Social Worker of the Year, sponsored by APSCo

Silver – Jayne Lee, Essex County Council

Silver – Alex Giasemidis, Cambridgeshire County Council

Gold – Sophia Hussain, Redbridge Local Authority

Children’s Social Worker of the Year Award, sponsored by Cafcass

Silver – Tim Bangora, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Gold – Andrea Bassi, Birmingham Children’s Trust

Social Justice Champion Award, sponsored by BASW

Silver – David Redpath-Smith, Cheshire West and Chester Council

Gold – Thabang Thacker, Cambridgeshire County Council

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

Silver – Social Work Team, Octopus Energy

Silver – Mental Health Accommodation Model, Essex County Council

Gold – Homeless Move On Team, Bristol City Council

Team of the Year, Children’s Services Award, sponsored by Sheldon Phillips

Silver – Young Carers Team, Central Bedfordshire Council

Gold – Out of Hours Team, Hampshire County Council

Practice Leadership and Management, Adult Services Award

Silver – Fran Marshall, Cambridgeshire County Council

Silver – Helen Macisaac, Essex County Council

Gold – Eirini Zochiou, Sunderland City Council

Practice Leadership and Management, Children’s Services Award

Silver – Antonia Ogundayisi, Essex County Council

Silver – Paula Purcell, London Borough of Redbridge

Gold – Anne Stoker, London Borough of Enfield

Social Work Student of the Year, sponsored by Essex County Council

Silver – Lisa Andrews, University of Huddersfield

Gold – Susuana Gyampoh Senghor, London Metropolitan University

Supportive Social Work Employer Award, sponsored by APSCo

Silver – WSCC Children, Young People & Learning Service, West Sussex County Council

Gold – Birmingham Children’s Trust

Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by West Sussex County Council

Silver – John Lovatt, Hartlepool Borough Council

Silver – Sally Smith, Independent Social Worker

Gold – Maria Moore, Liverpool City Council

Mental Health Social Worker of the Year Award

Silver – Molly Butler, Calderdale Council

Gold – Debbie Dobson, North Lincolnshire Council

International Social Work Award, sponsored by Norfolk County Council

Silver – Theresa Kambani, Bedford Borough Council

Gold – Sharon Ndoro, Cambridgeshire County Council

Technology Enabled Lives and Innovation in Practice Award, sponsored by WM ADASS

Silver – The Scribe Project Team, Cafcass

Gold – Kent County Council Technology Enhanced Lives Service, Kent County Council

Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year

Silver – Rhiannon Williams, Brighton and Hove City Council

Gold – Paul Caston, Livewell Southwest

Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker of the Year, sponsored by West Sussex County Council

Silver – Michela Cambareri, Lancashire South Cumbria Foundation Trust

Gold – Lashonte Royal, Hillingdon Council

Practice Educator of the Year Award

Silver – Karen Rodgers, Cambridgeshire County Council

Gold – Natalie Robertson, Lambeth Council

University Social Work Lecturer of the Year

Silver – Aga M. Buckley, Kingston University London

Gold – Sian Thomas, University of Birmingham

Practitioner-Led Research Award, sponsored by NIHR

Silver – Lisa Richey

Gold – The Experts in Practice Project, Darlington People Group Directorate