Children’s Social Worker of the Year

Chris Dyas’ nomination received a resounding “wow” from this year’s judging panel.

A practitioner with more than 30 years’ experience, Chris’ social care career began in 1985 when he started work as a youth worker, organising and developing community projects in South Manchester. He qualified as a social worker in 1990, and worked for two years in Manchester’s children’s services, before spending the next six in Macclesfield.

Chris has spent the last 20 years working as a children’s services practitioner at the NSPCC service in Stoke-on-Trent, where he specialises in supporting young people who have been traumatised by sexual abuse. He was praised by colleagues as having an “ultimate skill” in being able to make meaningful connections with children and young people, “helping them to believe that they are being listened to and are understood”.

This was reflected in the moving testimonials submitted with Chris’ nomination, where young people described him as a social worker who has helped them to feel supported, less alone and find light at the end of the tunnel. He really stood out as a practitioner who is consistently committed to developing his practice for the benefit of those he works with.