Devon social workers scoop national awards for adult social care
Devon County Council has scooped a number of accolades at this year's Social Worker of the Year Awards, placing it among the highest achieving authorities in the sector.
78 social workers and social work teams from across England were selected as finalists across 15 different categories, celebrating the achievements of social care practitioners in services that support children and adults.
Of eight Devon County Council social workers or social worker teams selected as finalists by an expert panel of judges, three were announced as category winners and runner ups.
They included:
The Council's Daytime Adult Mental Health Practitioner Service, whose members took Gold to win the Team of the Year category for adult social care.
Exeter based Maria Kneller, who took Silver in the Adult Social Worker of the Year category.
And Joanna Armstrong, who took Silver in the Practice Educator of the Year category.
The awards were announced at a ceremony in London on Friday, 25 November.
The prestigious ceremony is considered by those in the social care business to be the leading celebration of its kind in the sector, for recognising the success of the profession's most innovative and dedicated social workers.
Councillor Stuart Barker, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member responsible for adult social care, said: "Few authorities have worked as hard as Devon to continue meeting the diverse needs of our population.
"And despite financial constraints, which have brought new challenges and prompted different ways of working to help people live as independently as possible, I'm delighted that our social workers are continuing to make real differences, and that their achievements are being recognised.
"Congratulations to all of our finalists, and especially to our category Gold and Silver winners."
Other Devon finalists across categories included:
- Jean Beynon – Team Leader of the Year, Children’s Services
- Jenny Harris – Children’s Social Worker of the Year
- Juanita Scallan – Team Leader of the Year, Children’s Services
- Mark Pilkington – Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year
- Barnstaple Community Health and Social Care Team – Team of the Year, Adult Services
The Council is always looking to recruit high quality social workers. Anyone considering a career in adults or children's social work can find more information on the Council's website: http://www.devonsocialwork.co.uk.
The Council is also encouraging people to consider careers as care and support workers. Care workers tell their real stories about what inspired them to their career on the Council's Proud to Care website: https://www.proudtocaredevon.org.uk
