Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Smith
ORGANISATION: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
AWARD(S): Lifetime Achievement
It’s never easy to summarise a 40-year-long career in social work in just a few hundred words, but if there’s one thing that really stands out from Peter Smith’s time in the profession, it’s his tireless commitment to making a difference to the lives of adults in need.
Peter’s passion for working with people started in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, where he worked on a voluntary agricultural project for three years. He qualified as a social worker in 1978, working as a residential care officer with older people in East Yorkshire.
In his role at Stockton Borough Council, Peter has managed a range of in-house provider services and has been particularly instrumental in developing the local authority’s reablement service and a LiveWell hub for people with dementia, both of which have been recognised in national awards. He is valued by colleagues as a manager with “extraordinary integrity” and a calming and supportive attitude, who always makes time for his staff and never loses sight of the vulnerable people services are there to support.
Peter’s dedication to social work really has been ‘lifelong’, and as his boss aptly commented: “his legacy will serve as an example for all staff involved in social care”.
Peter has clearly had a significant impact on his colleagues and social work practice in Stockton-On-Tees. Peter has dedicated his time to research and specific areas of social work practice, whilst being involved in a variety of projects within adult services.
Lily Hopkins, Creative & Innovative Social Work Practice Award Winner 2017
Peter has amassed an impressive array in his career of over 40 years. I am sure that his work with the dementia hub will continue to help those into the future.
Emma Lewell-Buck MP, Patron and Shadow Children’s Minister
Peter was my Service manager for three years. As a manager, Peter has been one of the best. He never made me worry about going to him if I was having a concern and would always spend time to work through issues without blame or criticism, exactly what is needed in a busy service.
Wendy MacDonald, Inspector, Care Quality Commission
Always professional and working to the highest standards, Peter never loses sight of the ‘person’ he is supporting and working to assist. Reviewing Peter’s achievements showcases the outstanding contribution he has made throughout his career and it is no exaggeration to say that in my view Peter is the ultimate social worker whose legacy will serve as an example for all staff involved in social care.
Ann Workman, Director - Adults and Health, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
THE JUDGES
Andy Butler
David Akinsanya
Emma Lewell-Buck MP
Gary Spencer-Humphrey
Glen Garrod
Jackie Dowding
Lily Hopkins
THE FINALISTS
Gail Faulkner, Leeds City Council
Janet Reed, Ministry of Defence
SILVER AWARD WINNER
Jenny Slee, North Somerset Council / Adoption West
Tony Wright, Forward Assist