Scottish Social Services Awards winner announced
There was tight competition for the winning spots with record numbers of nominations. The panels felt overwhelmed not only with the sheer numbers but also the high calibre of applications received this year. They had to distil the applications to 3 finalists per category.
The Awards ceremony was a lively celebration of the fantastic work that is being done in social services in Scotland. Presenter Sean Batty lead through the evening. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!
We will list all the winners at the end but will shine the light in a bit more detail onto some:
Social Worker of the Year- in partnership with SASW: Suzy Rook, Dumfries and Galloway
Relationship-based practice is at the heart of what social workers do. Social work has always had a strong human rights and ethical basis that emphasises the importance of building a positive, professional relationship with those accessing support as well as with multidisciplinary colleagues. Social workers skilfully balance any tensions between the rights and responsibilities of the people who use services and the legitimate requirements of the wider public. This award was presented by SASW National Director, Alison Bavidge.
Suzy was nominated in the ‘Social Worker of the Year’ category, a highly contested category which recognises the very best examples of individuals demonstrating their deep commitment to their profession and going above and beyond in their role.
Suzy currently works in the Dumfries & Galloway Justice team which she joined in October 2021. However, her nomination also relates to her previous role in Children and Families. She was nominated by two of the families that she worked with during this time.
“I can’t believe it” said Suzy. “when they called out my name, I was in shock but getting up there to collect the award, I was absolutely buzzing! It’s such an honour. It’s amazing to be recognised for the job you do, but to be recognised by your peers and industry professionals is incredible. Nobody does this job for the praise, we do it because we care about people and want the best outcomes for everyone. Being recognised for doing your best really means a lot.”
Excellence in Justice Services: Community Justice team, Midlothian Council
The Vision for justice in Scotland calls for a just, safe, and resilient Scotland. We must be able to exercise our human and civic rights, in order to live in a just and fair society. It is not only when these rights are threatened that we require robust and fair responses. Effective processes of justice provide us all with a sense of security which is fundamental to our everyday lives. We therefore must have trust and confidence that justice will be delivered fairly in any area of our lives.
It is imperative for our justice services to work together with individuals to address the underlying causes of crime and support everyone to live full and healthy lines. All our finalists have showcased how they put this at the heart of what they do. The Community Justice Team, Midlothian Council deservedly took the award and celebrated their recognition lively.
Bright Spark in Social Work (NQSW)- in partnership with SASW: Claire McAloon, Swiis Foster Care Scotland
This Award celebrates the achievements of rising stars in the social work profession in Scotland. Whether it be individuals just beginning their working lives or those who have chosen to join social work as a mature student, new entrants into our sector are so incredibly important in ensuring the future of our profession. It can be daunting for anyone starting out in a brand-new career, but all the finalists in this category have shown the positive impact newly qualified social workers can make in just a short space of time.
Former Open University student, Claire McAloon, is now a supervising social worker for Swiis Foster Care Scotland. Her ethos is strongly person-centred. For example, she ensured that unaccompanied young people had everything they needed to celebrate Eid. Her manager said: “She is a real diamond”
Leadership Award: Laura Arthur, South Lanarkshire HSCP
Strong and compassionate leadership has an impact on the vision and ethos of an organisation and empowers others to develop and use their own leadership skills. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) specify six leadership capabilities that make up effective leadership in social services. These are: Vision, Creativity and Innovation, Self-leadership, Collaborating and Influencing, Motivating and Inspiring, and Empowering. Social services operate in an increasingly complex, challenging and changing environment. Working effectively in partnership can help provide best value and improved outcomes for people who use our services. The need for effective leadership of these collaborations is important.
Social services operate in an increasingly complex, challenging and changing environment but with the input of great leaders, the social services workforce can continue to provide the best outcomes for the people they support. The winner of this award, Laura Arthur, was nominated by Kathy Blessing, older people’s service locality manager.
Kathy said: “Laura has been a social worker for 15 years, in a management role for the past seven and the last four as a senior manager in adult services. Laura is a true inspiration and seeks to bring out the best in others. She has all the qualities of a good leader and deserves recognition for this leadership award.”
Outstanding Residential Care Service: Wheatlands, Scottish Borders Council
Our society is structured around family life and living in residential care is often not a choice people expect to make or to have made for them. Group living provides a safe place for many adults and children, but it requires particular skill and commitment to ensure that this maintains the individual’s rights, developmental needs, dignity and potential for growth and development. This Award celebrates residential care services and thanks them for their commitment to high quality support and care for their residents and staff.
Wheatlands provide a home for young people who can longer live with their family. Staff members go above and beyond to ensure that the young people in their care feel truly at home and are able to thrive.
Outstanding Contribution to Social Services: Joint winners: Jake Gibson, Support for Ordinary Living and Eileen McLaren, City of Edinburgh Council
This brand new Award recognises those who have demonstrated a deep commitment to social services and excelled in a career supporting the most vulnerable in our society.
The events of the last few years shone a spotlight on our social services sector like never before. And it highlighted a workforce who showed a power of dedication, empathy and resilience. Scotland cannot thank you all enough.
All finalists for the Scottish Social Services Awards 2022
01: Excellence in Children's Services
- Leading the Promise, Angus Council
- North Strathclyde Partnership, East Renfrewshire Council (Host)
- Family Resource Centre, Quarriers
02: Excellence in Adult Services
- Falkirk Responder Service, Carr Gomm
- Housing First Service, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership
- Port of Leith Housing Association
03: Excellence in Mental Health Services
- Resilience for Wellbeing Service, Quarriers
- North Lanarkshire Support Services (NLSS), SAMH
- SOL Connect, Support for Ordinary Living
04: Excellence in Disabilities Services
- Dumfries and Galloway Service, Capability Scotland
- Quarriers Adult Services, Quarriers
- John's Team, Support for Ordinary Living
05: Excellence in Justice Services
- Aberdeen Justice Support Service, Cyrenians
- Justice Social Work Services (Caledonian Programme), East Lothian Council
- Community Justice Team, Midlothian Council
06: Showcasing an Integrated Workforce
- North Ayrshire HSCP and Education Co-location sites – NA Health and Social Care Partnership
- Rosewell House, Aberdeen
- The Access Hub, Simon Community Scotland
07: Rural Ways of Working
- Felt Fine Project at Dawson Court Very Sheltered Housing, Turriff, Aberdeenshire Council
- St Monans Social Work, Adult services Resources, and Accommodation Services, Fife Council
- Aberdeenshire Shared Lives, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership
08: Outstanding Residential Care Service
- Wheatlands Children's Home, Scottish Borders Council
- Brucefield and Corporate Parenting Hub, Stirling Council
- Wernham House, Aberdeen Cyrenians
09: Bright Spark in Social Work
- Leanne Clapperton, Fife Council Fostering Team
- Megan Cassidy, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership
- Claire McAloon, Swiis Foster Care Scotland
10: Bright Spark in Social Care
- Conor Morrison, Aberdeen Cyrenians
- Karen Elliot, We are With You
- Philip Root, CrossReach
11: Leadership Award
- Amanda McRae, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership
- Rebecca Malone-Robertson, The Good Care Group Scotland
- Laura Arthur, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership
12: Social Care Worker of the Year
- Kirsteen Watson, Carr Gomm
- Alice Vaughan, Right There (formally known as Ypeople)
- Alan Linskey, Support for Ordinary Living
13: Social Worker of the Year
- Suzy Rook, Dumfries & Galloway Council
- Vicki Lorimer, Fife Council
- Wendy McKitterick, Stirling Council
14: Outstanding Contribution to Social Service
- Fiona McLay, We are With You
- Ruth Ogilvie, Aberdeen Cyrenians
- Jake Gibson, Support for Ordinary Living (joint winner)
- Eileen McLaren, City of Edinburgh Council (joint winner)