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