Social Worker of the Year Awards 2014

The winners of the 2014 social work awards were announced at the Lancaster Hotel in London on Friday 28 November. The awards presentation honoured the skillful, diverse and outstanding work that takes place within the profession, and recognised the phenomenal contributions made by social workers within England.

The awards covered 17 different categories across children’s and adult services.

The winners included BASW members Maureen Carson, formally of Southwark Council, for the Lifetime Achievement Award and Faye Wilson, chair of BASW’s mental health forum, for the Outstanding Contribution to Social Work Award.

View the photo galllery of the event

Maureen Carson: Lifetime Achievement Award

“Emotional reading” was the phrase used by the judges while considering Maureen’s entry. Her nomination included 17 incredibly moving testimonials from past service users and colleagues – a sign of just how valued and well-respected she is.

After starting her career as a social work assistant in Southwark in 1977, Maureen spent her life working with children and families. From the outset she had an ability to connect with children of all ages and temperaments in a way that others could only emulate. “I have watched their bodies relax and frozen faces become animated,” are the words of one former colleague.

While working at the NSPCC, Maureen developed communication tools for abused children and raised awareness of the need for a more child-focused approach for young witnesses during court proceedings. She also assisted the Metropolitan Police with complex investigations, enabling young people to speak out about the abuse they suffered. Her work earned her a Commissioners Commendation.

Maureen has now retired after losing her voice to Motor Neurone Disease. Her gift with children has not wavered and she recently worked with a group of school pupils at St Christopher’s Hospice to reduce their fears about death and terminal illness.

BASW England Manager Maris Stratulis stated: “You can’t fail to be impressed by Maureen’s work and the many achievements she's made throughout her career. She has clearly made a vast difference to the lives of many, many people. She is a very worthy winner and can be very proud of having her work recognised on a national scale.”

Faye Wilson: Outstanding Contribution to Social Work

Faye has over 40 years’ experience working in mental health social work as both a practitioner and manager. She has been instrumental in helping to influence government policy but has also remained at the forefront of practice, dedicated to the needs of service users.

Throughout her career Faye has strived to raise the profile of mental health social work, frequently acting as a media spokesperson and forming alliances with psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists and psychologists.

Passionate about promoting service users’ best interests, Faye has advised commissioners on proposed services and taken part in various expert groups. She has also campaigned on the bed shortage currently affecting mental health services and has argued against the removal of social workers from mental health trusts.

Although now semi-retired, Faye is the Chair of BASW’s mental health forum and is working with the Care Quality Commission as an advisor on the role of social workers and AMHPs to help improve mental health care standards.

The Trustees of the Social Worker of the Year Awards were impressed with Faye’s dedication to mental health services, particularly how she has shaped practice while remaining close to the frontline. They are delighted to be able to present her with this award.

BASW England Professional Officer Joe Godden described Faye with the following words: “A deeply committed social worker who always goes the extra mile for service users, Faye is motivated by a genuine desire to improve services and fly the flag for the key role that social work plays in mental health services.”

Here’s the full list of 2014 winners:

• Margaret Barrett, Gateshead Council - Principal Social Worker of the Year
• Wendy Whitaker, Southwark Council - Mental Health Social Worker of the Year
• Julia Parfitt, Birmingham City Council - Team Leader of the Year, Adult Services
• Dave Thomas, Central Bedfordshire - Practice Teacher of the Year
• Lindsey Wanless, University of Nottingham - Student Social Worker of the Year
• Children's Social Care Team, North Yorkshire County Council - Best Social Work Employer
• Achieving for Children, Referral & Assessment Team - Team of the Year, Children's Services
• End of Life Social Work Team, Calderdale Council - Team of the Year, Adult Services
• Heidi Crampton, Cafcass - Team Leader of the Year, Children's Services
• Family Support Group Team, SSAFA - Creative & Innovative Social Work Practice
• Zahraa Adam, Essex County Council - Newly Qualified Children's Social Worker of the Year
• Jamie Stone, Hertfordshire County Council - Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year
• Angela Adams, Cafcass - Children's Social Worker of the Year
• Joanne Lowe, Birmingham City Council - Adult Social Worker of the Year
• Maureen Carson - Lifetime Achievement Award
• Faye Wilson - Outstanding Contribution to Social Work
• Zahraa Adam, Essex County Council - Overall Social Worker of the Year