Westminster welcomes award-winning Social Workers during Social Work Week
Westminster welcomes award–winning Social Workers during Social Work Week
Outstanding Social Workers who were recognised at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2024 were individually congratulated by government Ministers at an exclusive Parliamentary Reception in the House of Commons this week.
Gold winners gathered along with award sponsors, Trustees and MPs to mark the start of Social Work Week (17-23 March 2025).
Former social worker Janet Daby MP, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing was present alongside Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Isabelle Trowler, and the recently appointed Chief Social Worker for Adults and Mental Health Social Work, Sarah McClinton.
Sarah McClinton said “I am excited to be here to celebrate social work during Social Work Week. I was privileged to be invited to the awards in November, and I have to say I was absolutely blown away by the amazing achievements showcased at the event.
“It is important that all of the social workers here today don’t underestimate the impact that you have and also be very proud of everything you do, so thank you.”
Jerome Mayhew, the MP for Broadland and Fakenham attended the Parliamentary Reception to show his support for The People from Abroad Team from Norfolk County Council, who received the ‘Overall Social Worker of the Year’ Award and the Gold award for Team of the Year, Children’s Services.
In recent years, the People from Abroad Team has faced significant demand for its services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it stepped in to provide support for over 100 asylum seekers placed at the first contingency accommodation in the East of England. Following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, it received as many families for resettlement as possible. It has also housed and supported Ukrainian families who are dealing with the effects of trauma. The team have also ensured that they have the skills to advocate for the people they support, taking on further learning to develop expert knowledge on immigration. This has included three social workers becoming registered immigration advisors.
Speaking at the event, Simon Shreeve from Norfolk County Council said “I am honoured to be able to share the incredible work we’ve been doing in Norfolk to support and integrate migrants into our community.
“Our service users are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society and using social work values, empathy, trauma informed approach and community development skills we aim to help people start a new chapter in their lives.
“By winning the Overall Social Workers of the Year Award in 2024, we want to inspire other councils to set up similar dedicated services, and work in ways which empower migrants in their communities to become integrated and independent.”
Tienga Ngale, who won the Social Work Student of the Year Award also spoke at the event. Tienga from Brunel University far exceeded expectations during his social work training. As a student representative for his cohort, Tienga successfully navigated the group through different challenges faced by students and found positive resolutions. He also makes a diverse and significant contribution to the social work community outside of university, including volunteering with Social Work Without Borders, and co-facilitating open discussions on death and dying at the West London Death Cafe, which is held quarterly.
Tienga said “It has been a real honour to win this award for Student Social Worker of the Year 2024. I am a migrant who has spent over 20 years on the journey of being an asylum seeker, but my story has always been about the kindness of the people that I have met throughout my journey.
“This award has instilled in me a profound confidence in what I bring to our profession and the community we serve, so thank you very much.”
Social Worker of the Year charity patron and sponsor of the Reception, Emma Lewell-Buck MP said “As a former social worker, I know how every day each and every social worker is going above and beyond supporting people to improve their lives and keep them safe.
“I know how stepping into the hardest moments of people’s lives whilst also being faced with cuts to services, increased workloads and pressure can leave you feeling numb and exhausted, I have been there. But I also know how rewarding making positive changes to the lives of those you work with can feel and how that drives you to keep going.
“You are the ones that, despite the relentless challenges, are making a difference every single day, fighting tirelessly for those who are often overlooked, helping them find strength, dignity, and a way forward. I am delighted that the Social Worker of the Year Awards is able to recognise you for it.”
This year’s Social Worker of the Year Awards will open for entries on Monday 31 March 2025. In total, there are 19 different categories across both children’s and adult services. New categories for 2025 are the International Social Work Award, Practice Leadership and Management Award, Adults and Practice Leadership and Management Award, Children’s.
Peter Hay CBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Social Work Awards charity, said “Every year the Awards give us the opportunity to showcase and share remarkable stories of great social work happening across the country. We look forward to the Awards this October, which will take place in Manchester for the first time.”
The sponsors of the 2024 Social Worker of the Year Awards attended the Parliamentary Reception. They included headline sponsors, BASW England (The British Association of Social Workers), corporate sponsors Sanctuary Personnel and public sector sponsor West Sussex Council. Category supporters included Cafcass, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, London Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth, West Midlands ADASS, Essex County Council and UNISON.
The Social Worker of the Year Awards were founded in 2006 by Social Worker Beverley Williams MBE. It remains the only major national awards event for social work in England, attracting hundreds of entries every year and reaching millions of people with positive stories of outstanding social work, creative and compassionate practitioners and outstanding practice.
Photography from the event is available here.