Student Social Worker of the Year

Louise’s qualities are perhaps most easily illustrated by her interactions with children during her social work master’s degree, completed over a number of years in which she also worked in support roles at Stockport council children’s services.

Her selection process at Manchester Metropolitan University included being interviewed by a number of young people, who commented that they would have chosen her to be their social worker. Later, during a placement at Stockport’s domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation team – where she now has a job – she was the first person several children chose to disclose their experiences of being groomed and assaulted by adults to. Her practice educator, who called Louise an “outstanding student”, praised her “skills in communication, and understanding of young people’s needs and how to work restoratively with families”.

Louise also impressed with her handling of high-risk domestic abuse cases, implementing theory into her practice and sharing knowledge – including with those who have been on the receiving end of abuse. Despite initially lacking confidence around court work, the latter quality helped her to support a parent who was involved in the first case where a person was found guilty under the new domestic abuse law relating to coercive control.