Adult Social Worker of the Year

The judges noted that Heather, who has worked within Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for the last 15 years, “stood out as a social worker within a diverse range of professionals”.

Two cases involving adults with severe multiple sclerosis amply demonstrate this quality. In one instance, Heather enabled a woman to remain at home until her death, and to enjoy the mealtimes with her family that had been such an important part of her life. In another, she helped a woman with no family to advocate for her obtain a new 24-hour care package, resisting pressure from medical professionals who argued she should be taken into care.

Another of Heather’s achievements is her development of the Macmillan social worker role within west Northumberland, after her employer gained investment from the charity. She has trained in and begun providing psychosocial support in end-of-life care, and has already been able to influence Macmillan service provision locally thanks to her extensive knowledge of community, voluntary and statutory stakeholders.

Within her team, Heather is described as being an “advisor, educator and supportive colleague”. A long involvement in social work education as a practice assessor and mentor completes an impressively rounded set of credentials.