Overall Social Worker of the Year 2022

Kirstie Baughan has been inspired to help others since a young age.  

A lover of ‘Tracy Beaker’ as a child – the Jacqueline Wilson story of a ten-year-old girl living in a children’s residential home nicknamed the ‘Dumping Ground’, Kirstie went on to support children facing difficult times in her role as a young leader at Guides and Brownies, and volunteered at a charity for young people with disabilities. 

Since completing her social work training, Kirstie has immersed herself in promoting the rights of unaccompanied asylum seeking children. Outside of her day job as audit manager at Central Bedfordshire Council, she volunteers for Refugees at Home and as the regional lead for Care4Calais. She is also currently undertaking a Doctorate, with her research focused on how local communities welcome and support asylum seekers. 

Kirstie is widely regarded by those she works with as a social worker whose values ‘drive her practice’ and who demonstrates compassion in all that she does.  

The judges were impressed by how Kirstie has truly committed to improving the lives of asylum seeking children and young people, taking the time to ‘walk in their shoes’ and develop her understanding of this area of practice.  

Supported by Sanctuary Personnel.