Children’s Social Worker of the Year

Jackie is described by her colleagues as “the social worker that all social workers aspire to be, and the social worker that all vulnerable children deserve” – and it’s easy to see why.

Jackie taught herself to read and write, and qualified as a social worker in her 40s. Now 74, she remains committed to frontline practice, never missing a visit or review, and even regularly makes a 12-hour round trip to Wales to visit one of the children on her caseload.

She has often been commended by judges, independent reviewing officers and Ofsted for her dedication and the testimonials in her nomination highlighted how the passion and advocacy she has for the young people in her care is “second to none”.

One example of this was Jackie advocating strongly for looked-after children whose experience of care was being impacted dramatically by having different social workers. Her intervention resulted in long-term cases now only being held by permanent team members.

Jackie’s sense of humour also shone through in her nomination, with stories of her recently ‘rapping’ at an event in celebration of looked-after children’s achievements. Tellingly, the young people present all commented on how they wished she was their social worker.