Profiles
16 March
Independents
17 March
Social workers
- Jessica Brookes
- Jessica Dodd
- Jessica O'Callaghan
- Joanna Clubley
- Kate Shaul
- Kate Devey
- Katie Robinson
- Kirsty Holden
- Leigh Howie
- Lindsey Jarvis
- Lorna Deans
- Louise Haworth
18 March
Social workers
- Marinka Huxtable
- Marlika Anderson
- Michael Greenhouse
- Michael North
- Mirela Ivan
- Nathalie Rabet Kassi
- Neil Martin
- Nicola Jordan
- Nikita Welsh
- Onyeka Chukwuma
- Paul Bate
- Paul Morris
- Preethi Rajan
- Rebecca Bolton
19 March
Students
20 March
Social workers
Cathie Long
Cathie is an independent social worker at Vivacity Independent Social Work
Cathie Long deserves recognition as an exceptional social worker because she consistently embodies compassion, advocacy, and professional excellence. As an independent social worker, she meets clients with empathy and respect, tailoring her approach to their individual strengths, goals, and challenges. Her client-centered practice empowers people to find stability, build confidence, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
Cathie is especially valued for her ability to guide clients through crises, helping them navigate complex systems, secure vital resources, and feel supported during overwhelming moments. Her calm presence, strong ethics, and clear communication inspire trust and comfort in those she serves.
Beyond her direct work, Cathie contributes to the field through publications on social work practice and autism, sharing insights that help other professionals improve their understanding and care. Colleagues admire her dedication to learning, her integrity, and her passion for advancing both the profession and the well-being of diverse communities.
Her impact is felt not only in the lives of her clients but also in the growth of the social work field itself. Cathie’s commitment, expertise, and heart make her truly deserving of this award.
Ellesse Phipps
Ellesse is an independent social worker at Independent
Ellesse Phipps is an extraordinary social worker whose practice reflects deep empathy and unshakable belief in human dignity. In early 2025, she represented an 18-year-old care-experienced woman with autism, OCD, and complex trauma who had been moved 161 miles from home under a harshly restrictive care plan. The young woman described one condition — being forced to keep her bathroom door open — as “the most degrading part of my life.”
Ellesse’s response was rooted in compassion and insight. She took time to build trust, recognising that distress born from trauma is not the same as risk. With calm determination, she challenged the restrictions and proposed a trauma-informed, clinically led plan that prioritised both safety and dignity. Her advocacy transformed how professionals understood the young woman’s needs and shifted the focus from control to recovery.
Today, restrictions have eased, the young woman enjoys unsupervised time, and plans are underway for her return home. Ellesse’s work demonstrates that social work, at its best, restores hope, rebuilds trust, and reminds people of their worth. She stands as a true example of social work led by courage, compassion, and humanity.
Kerrie Brewer
Kerrie is an independent reviewing officer and child protection chair at Safeguarding Service, Wolverhampton City Council
Kerrie exemplifies the very best of social work practice. Her dedication to children and young people is unwavering, and she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure their voices are heard and respected. Kerrie approaches every review with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to making a difference. Children regularly provide glowing feedback about their experiences with her, describing her as approachable, understanding, and someone who truly listens.
What sets Kerrie apart is her tenacity. She never hesitates to advocate fiercely for the needs and rights of the children she supports, ensuring that their views shape the decisions that affect their lives. Kerrie’s ability to build trusting relationships empowers children to feel safe and valued during what can often be challenging times. Her hard work and persistence mean that no detail is overlooked, and every child receives the care and attention they deserve.
Kerrie’s passion for safeguarding and promoting positive outcomes shines through in everything she does. She is not only a role model for her colleagues but also a source of hope and reassurance for the children she serves. Kerrie truly embodies the values of social work and is an outstanding candidate for this award.
Sara Dawson
Sara is an independent social worker at Advanced Assessments & Solutions Ltd
During parenting assessment her assessment of both parents and methods was very thorough and detailed and took into consideration our case specifically considering how complicated ours has been dating back several years and it being a bit messy. She came in got to the root and unearthed facts about the case and helped out a lot especially in making sure our daughter is the topmost priority in everything.
Victoria Jenkins
Victoria is an independent social worker at Accolade
Victoria sets the social work bar high. As a professional with lived experience she embraced all opportunities to develop her career against all odds. Three years ago she set up Accolade edge of care service in Merseyside which employs a team of support workers who are passionate about giving back to their communities and helping families navigate the systems that ca sometimes hold them back. Victoria sees the potential of every employee through the lens of; would I want them in my home helping me to parent.
Victoria gave up a secure position as a leader in local authorities to take on independent social work with a difference. She continues to work alongside the families accolade service and ca often be found comforting a young person who has overdosed in hospital to overseeing a family time session to ensure the quality and experience of the child remains intact. Victoria reinvests any profits back into people and is one of the very few providers who donates to local authority services every year through fund raising events. Victoria is part of the association of care experienced individuals and has contributed to literature in this particular field. As a social worker in the sharp end of social care she is very much engrossed in the profession and very rarely steps back to live off the fruits of her labour. She hosts regular workshops for the team on key topics related to accolades work, she guest lectures at universities igniting passion throughout the profession.
Yasmin Amer
Yasmin is an independent social worker at Willis Palmer
I would like to recognise Yasmin’s dedication and compassion across two interconnected fields – social work and veterinary medicine. As both an independent social worker and a veterinary surgeon, Yasmin brings a rare perspective to her practice, advocating for the well-being of animals and people. Her work is grounded in empathy, integrity, and a commitment to uplifting others. She continually champions her colleagues, creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and supported. In her veterinary role, she extends that same thoughtful care to animals, promoting ethical practice, welfare awareness, and trauma-informed approaches that prioritise safety and respect. What I think sets her apart is her profound insight into the human–animal bond and her ability to bridge gaps between the two professions in meaningful, practical ways. She uses her dual expertise to influence practice and advocate for holistic, person-centred and animal-centred care.
Yasmin’s passion, dedication, and advocacy for justice for both humans and animals demonstrate a level of commitment that is both unique and admirable.
Jessica Brookes
Jessica is a social worker at Wolverhampton Youth Justice Service
Jess exemplifies outstanding ethical, trauma-informed, and relationship-based practice, consistently aligning her work with BASW’s Code of Ethics-rights, justice, equality, and respect.
Jess has fully embraced and embedded the AIM3 Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) assessment framework into her practice, demonstrating not only a strong understanding of the model but a deeply reflective and child-centred use of its core principles. She skilfully applies AIM3 to understand behaviour through the lens of trauma, attachment, child development, relationships, neurodiversity, and wider contextual influences. She approaches HSB assessment with compassion, curiosity, and integrity-avoiding deficit narratives, reducing stigma, and restoring dignity to young people and their families.
Jess is a powerful advocate for the children, young people, and families she supports. She goes above and beyond to ensure their voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their experiences are understood. Whether she is in a multi-agency forum, challenging a risk-led narrative, or supporting a young person to express their views, Jess embodies ethical courage and unwavering integrity. Her advocacy ensures that plans are meaningful, proportionate, and rooted in dignity, respect, safety, and hope.
She builds relationships grounded in trust, respect, empathy, and psychological safety, recognising the profound impact of trauma, shame, fear, and disconnection. She creates spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and valued, enabling them to develop resilience, self-belief, and a sense of agency. She leads with empathy, humility, and respect-always centring the child’s humanity, not their behaviour.
Jess’s practice actively reduces stigma around harmful sexual behaviour, promoting understanding, accountability, and positive change. She challenges risk-driven or punitive responses and champions balanced, restorative, and child-first approaches. Her work reflects the very essence of ethical social work-humanity, fairness, and social justice.
Jess does not just apply AIM3-she embodies its values. She does not just work within a trauma-informed approach-she is a trauma-informed practitioner. She remains unwavering in her belief that every young person has the capacity to be understood, to grow, and to change.
Beyond her professional expertise, she is an invaluable colleague and team member, bringing a wealth of experience, strong advocacy, and a genuine passion and love for social work. Her contributions make her a true asset to our service.
For her compassionate advocacy, ethical courage, commitment to rights-based practice, and exemplary integration of AIM3 HSB assessment, I proudly nominate Jess for Social Worker of the Year.
Jessica Dodd
Jessica is a senior practitioner (social worker) at Bristol City Council
Jess is an extremely warm, kind, supportive and knowledgeable person. Her presence in the team has always been a steadying anchor in challenging times and she is always so willing to help out, no matter who you are - social work student, peer or management. She is flexible, understanding and patient – I would be lucky to have her as my social worker if I ever needed one; she deserves so much recognition and respect for how committed and dependable she is.
Thank you Jess for all that you do for your colleagues, all that you've done for me and all you do for those who need our help the most.
Jessica O'Callaghan
Jessica is a social worker at 0-25 Disability Team, Carmarthenshire County Council
It is with respect and admiration that I nominate Jess. Jess is a dedicated social worker who has demonstrated over the years outstanding commitment, compassion and professionalism in supporting vulnerable families, children and advocating for social justice. Through her tireless efforts and passion, Jess has improved the lives of countless individuals, advocating for children and young people with disabilities to have the same opportunities and outcomes as everybody else. Jess puts her heart and soul into her role and exemplifies the values of empathy, integrity and social responsibility that lie at the heart of the social work profession. Jess is known for going above and beyond, receiving positive feedback from judges and guardians within the court arena. Jess mentors newly qualified social workers, is an assessor for social work students, and advocates for policy changes. Jess will always put her name forward to help other team members. The team and management greatly respect Jess’ work ethic, assessment, analytical skills and her person centred approach. In recognition for her outstanding service and unwavering dedication to the team and families, I wholeheartedly put Jess forward for this nomination.
Joanna Clubley
Joanna is a social worker at Telford & Wrekin Council
Nomination 1
Joanna is an exceptional Forensic Senior Social Worker in Mental Health a true advocate for people, working tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard and respected.
She takes the time to truly understand individuals-their needs, aspirations, and what matters most to them-placing co-production at the heart of every decision. With a deep commitment to values and ethics, they combine extensive knowledge with empathy, ensuring that care is not only effective but person-centred.
Joanna champions innovation, embracing assistive and smart technology to enhance independence and improve outcomes. She excels in cross-team collaboration, bridging health, social care, council services, and community networks to create seamless support systems. Her ability to respectfully challenge when necessary demonstrates courage and integrity, always prioritising the person’s best interests.
Through her dedication, she empower individuals to shape their own lives, fostering dignity and choice.
Her work reflects a rare blend of expertise, compassion, and leadership-driving positive change and setting the highest standards in forensic mental health practice. She is not just a social worker; she is a relentless advocate for inclusion, equality, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Nomination 2
Joanna is an amazing asset to our team. She is the forensic lead within our team and has an expert of knowledge that keeps the team learning and evolving due to her wisdom. Joanna is an amazing senior in the team and is a great supervisor always looking at the best practice and ways of supporting individuals within the team. Joanna has a huge heart and is willing to help anybody in the team. She is amazing at what she does and i am proud to call her my supervisor. Thanks Joanna
Kate Shaul
Kate is a social worker at Hull City Council
Kate Shaul is an exceptional social worker within the Assessment Teams, bringing over 8 years of experience and an unwavering commitment to children and families. Kate approaches every situation with professionalism, creativity, and calm qualities that make her a trusted practitioner in times of crisis. Her ability to act decisively while keeping others reassured is a hallmark of her practice.
Kate undertakes Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) work, which requires meticulous planning and strong relational skills. Her communication is excellent, and feedback from children and families consistently reflects the trust and confidence she inspires.
Kate’s dedication goes far beyond expectations. She is often the first in the building and the last to leave, always going the extra mile to ensure the best outcomes for children. Her work is not only thorough and timely but also deeply compassionate, ensuring that every child’s voice is heard and respected.
Kate makes a real difference even on the toughest days and her team and manager want her to know how valued she is. She is an asset to Hull, to her colleagues, and most importantly, to the families she serves.
Kate Devey
Kate is a social worker at Denbigh County Council
Kate is a caring and compassionate social worker. She is a warm, open person who embraces challenges in a professional way. Kate delivers a genuine person centered strength-based approaches with everyone she meets through her practice and offers positive and creative ways of working which promote the best outcomes. Since qualifying, Kate has supported me in my new role, which has allowed me the space to grow as a new practitioner, and to acquire the knowledge needed to complete the heavily processed procedures. Kate is a passionate practice educator and its clear she enjoys the work she does. Kate is a shinning and motivational mentor and deserves the recognition.
Katie Robinson
Katie is a social worker at York City Council
Katie is hard working, thoughtful and incredibly skilled at supporting young people who are experiencing exploitation. She has the ability to show up for her young people, developing the working relationship to be able to holistically explore all the strengths and worries which may lead to vulnerabilities for our young people. Katie has received some amazing feedback from multi-agency teams this year for her ability to ensure multi-agency information sharing and co-working which is critical when looking at disruption for the young people she is working for and contextually across the city. She always has a smile on her face and is a massive team player not only for the team but across the service.
Kirsty Holden
Kirsty is a social worker at North Lincolnshire Council
Nomination 1
Kirsty’s commitment and dedication to trauma informed and child centred practice is exemplary. Kirsty will go above and beyond in the best interest of children and families she is supporting throughout their journey with services. She will continually advocate for children to ensure their voices are heard and held at the centre of all we do. Kirsty is compassionate, dedicated and an exceptional social worker. She consistently supports her team and colleagues through periods of challenge, offering space for reflection and growth. Kirsty’s passion for supporting children, families and her team is evident in every aspect of her practice.
Nomination 2
It is with great pleasure that I nominate Kirsty Holden for recognition as an outstanding social worker. Over the past six months, I have had the privilege of supervising Kirsty, and during this time, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and compassion in her practice.
Kirsty has consistently shown the ability to reflect on her own emotions and biases, ensuring that her work with families is open-minded, empathetic, and effective. Her relationship-based approach has been a cornerstone of her practice, enabling her to build trust and rapport with children, families, and professionals alike. Kirsty’s unwavering commitment to placing the welfare of children at the forefront of her work is evident in every aspect of her role.
Feedback from colleagues, parents, and children has been overwhelmingly positive. One parent expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating:
"I just wanted to say thank you sincerely for all your support you have given me and the children. I truly appreciate your kindness, guidance, and the way you have helped us through such a difficult time. It has meant a lot."
Kirsty’s diligence and care in safeguarding children have been described as outstanding. Her ability to keep multi-agency partners informed and engaged has been exemplary, ensuring that all parties work collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
In addition to her professional achievements, Kirsty has been a source of positivity and inspiration within the team. She has embraced every task with enthusiasm and has contributed significantly to fostering a supportive and collaborative team environment.
It has been an honour to supervise Kirsty and witness her growth as a social worker. Her dedication, compassion, and professionalism make her a truly deserving candidate for this award. I am confident that Kirsty will continue to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of the children and families she supports.
Leigh Howie
Leigh is a social worker at Foster Wales Bridgend
Leigh works as a Senior Supervising Social Worker in Bridgend CBC. She has worked for the authority for over 20 years in different roles, and is creating change. I have only known her 10 months and her commitment and child focused approach to her work makes me proud to be part of her journey in social work. Leigh has a wealth of experience and her passion and dedication to achieving positive outcomes for Care Experienced Children and Young People. She makes me smile everyday and reminds me about the tenacity and resilience we need to do the role we do. She is a true credit to the team, fostering community , service and local authority. I learn something new from her each day and enjoy supervising her.
Lindsey Jarvis
Lindsey is a senior social worker - OIR Team (ASC) at Telford & Wrekin Council
Lindsey is a senior social worker who supervises some of us on the OIR team ( adult social care). Lindsey is compassionate, caring and extremely motivating. Lindsey pushes people to believe in themselves and their practice and is on hand for advice and support in both a professional and personal capacity day and night.
When I first joined the team I questioned my ability to do my job as well as all of the amazing people on my team. Lindsey has supported and guided me to help me realise my potential and my ability in my practice. It's safe to say without her encouragement, guidance and positive praise I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago.
The continued hard work she does and the effort she pours into people should be recognised, nothing is too much for her and she goes above and beyond for us all on a daily basis. She is a much valued member of the team.
Lorna Deans
Lorna is a social worker at City of Wolverhampton Council
Lorna is an amazing social worker and a highly valued colleague. She brings extensive experience across diverse areas of practice and applies her knowledge and skills in her current role in fostering assessments. Lorna demonstrates incredible empathy and compassion, consistently going above and beyond to support children and their families, making a lasting and meaningful difference in their lives.
As a colleague, Lorna is thoughtful, considerate, and always eager to support the team. She generously shares her reflections and insights and despite her experience and knowledge continues to truly enjoy learning and developing. Lorna is an asset to any team, and we are fortunate to work alongside her.
Louise Haworth
Louise is a social worker at Oxfordshire County Council
I am a commissioner (co-production lead) and Louise has played a vital role in sharing practice stories with me that have helped me shape my thinking in 'how we do' co-production. She works with Older Adults who have Mental ill Health and is part of a small yet much needed team.
Marinka Huxtable
Marinka is a social worker at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Marinka is an outstanding candidate for Amazing Social Worker 2026, exemplifying passion, dedication, and excellence in every aspect of her role. Her commitment to practice education is unparalleled-she invests deeply in supporting students, fostering their confidence, and inspiring the next generation of social workers. Marinka goes above and beyond to ensure learners feel valued and empowered, creating a nurturing and empathetic environment that promotes growth and resilience.
Coming into social work with years of rich experience, Marinka brings wisdom and perspective that enrich her practice and mentorship. She is a strong advocate for professional development, consistently modelling reflective practice and encouraging others to strive for excellence. Her ability to connect with adults in mental health settings is both courageous and creative, grounded in genuine positive regard and the core values of social work. By building on individual strengths and establishing strong foundations, Marinka delivers interventions that are person-centered and transformative.
Her unwavering dedication, empathy, and innovative approach make her not only a role model for students but also a trusted practitioner for those she serves. Marinka’s professionalism and humanity truly set her apart as an exceptional social worker deserving of this recognition.
Marlika Anderson
Marlika is a social worker at Central Bedfordshire Council
Marlika is an exceptional ambassador for children and families in Central Bedfordshire. Her practice is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep commitment to working with families, not to them. No ask is ever too big or too small-Marlika consistently goes above and beyond to ensure children’s voices are heard and their needs are met.
Marlika brings energy, thoughtfulness, and a calm presence to every situation. For example, Marlika recently supported a family through a complex housing situation, liaising with multiple agencies to secure safe accommodation while maintaining a trusting relationship with the parent. Her ability to navigate systems while keeping the child’s experience central was exemplary.
Marlika also plays a key role in multi-agency forums, where her contributions are consistently insightful and solution focused. She is known for her ability to ask the right questions, challenge respectfully, and advocate powerfully for children and their families.
Marlika’s practice embodies the values of Family Help, relational, restorative, and rooted in partnership. Marlika is a credit to the profession and a great role model for others.
Michael Greenhouse
Michael is a social worker at Birmingham City University
I am nominating Michael as he is a pioneer in social work education. He devotes his time to developing students readiness for social work practice through VR simulation education. He champions VR learning as it provides the students with creative learning experiences which allows them to develop their social work skills. Michael provides support and guidance to colleagues across Birmingham City University on the use of VR and is always willing to provide support as students learning comes first. He is dedicated to social work education and has begun researching the us of VR within social work teaching and learning.
Michael North
Michael is a social worker at Midlands Partnership Foundation NHS Trust
Michael is reasonably newly qualified, having completed his ASYE in October 2025. However, even at this stage of his development and career he really deserves to be nominated as an amazing Social Worker. As Michael's line manager, i always receive very positive feedback and compliments, both from colleagues/professionals/service users. He is empathetic, strengths-based and very person centred. Always striving to support people to become as independent as they possibly can. He is calm, friendly and professional and a great advocator, fully aware of the potential power imbalance in the role and works hard to remove barriers and to create equity. He is proactive in his learning, keen to expand his skills and knowledge, supports others including students and less experienced staff, puts himself forward to lead on projects such as IT/AI/substance use. He is committed to high-quality social work practice and service provision to meet the needs of people who draw on services. He has a strong value base: respect for human rights and dignity, a commitment to challenge inequality, discrimination and oppression, professional integrity such as honesty, accountability and transparency, promoting self-determination and empowerment. Michael always achieves fabulous outcomes with the people that he works with, he has recently worked with a person placed in long term residential care, he visited to explore finances but immediately identified that the person was very restricted in long term care and that their needs could actually be met more independently in the community. The person's wishes were also to move back into the community, so Michael supported the person to achieve just this. Supporting with applying for housing, benefits, charity applications for funds for furniture etc. Michael also commissioned a reablement package as he felt that the person had become dependent in the care home so this would enable him to regain some independence and skills again. This was very successful, and the person continues to safely with a small care package, he is able to access community services and his local pub and is extremely happy. Both himself and his family are extremely thankful to Michael. I am sure Michael has a fantastic career ahead of him, he is highly regarded and respected and is an asset to our team.
Mirela Ivan
Mirela is a social worker at Brigend, Wales
Dr. Mirela Ivan is an amazing social worker. Always having the children and their families at the heart of her work. Every morning she is ready to make a positive change in people’s lives. She recently participated in a workshop addressed to the Romanian community in Wales where she helped Romanians understand the child protection system in the UK compared to Romania. The workshop was a success because of her comprehensive knowledge and keen desire to make a positive change in people’s lives. Dr. Mirela Ivan is amazing!
Nathalie Rabet Kassi
Nathalie is a social worker at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Nomination 1
Nathalie is such a kind and hard-working social worker, she goes above and beyond for patients and always does so with a smile. She makes herself available within the team for advice and support whilst managing a significant caseload and can be relied on to get things done. We so appreciate her input on our mutual patients!
Nomination 2
Nathalie has a huge positive impact on the patients she supports and truly does all she can for them. She has a holistic, multi-disciplinary attitude, which ensures the best care possible. As a colleague, Nathalie is approachable, communicative and wonderfully collaborative. Nathalie's deep understanding of social work, as well as her deep kindness are both undeniable. We are lucky that she is part of our Trust and community. Thank you Nathalie for all that you do!
Nomination 3
Nathalie embodies the gold standard of patient-centred care in all that she does. Nathalie goes above and beyond for everyone she works with - patients and staff - and is incredibly hard working. Nathalie is an incredibly asset for us in the team and for all of our patients who have the pleasure of working alongside her.
Neil Martin
Neil is a social worker at Justice Social Work, Fife Council
Neil Martin has been an outstanding Justice Social Worker since 2006, demonstrating every day the creativity, compassion and professionalism that the Amazing Social Workers campaign celebrates. His work has made a profound and lasting difference to individuals, families and communities across Fife.
Neil is MF2C and Caledonian trained and delivers accredited groupwork and one-to-one programmes with exceptional skill. His practice is trauma-informed, strengths-based and deeply respectful. He consistently finds innovative ways to engage people who face significant challenges, ensuring they feel heard, supported and capable of change. His calm, approachable nature creates safety, trust and hope for those he works with.
As a Safe and Together expert, MAPPA representative and outstanding report writer, Neil upholds the highest standards of public protection and professional integrity. He also plays a vital leadership role, supervising Justice Workers and Caledonian Women’s Workers, modelling best practice and supporting colleagues with warmth and humility.
Neil goes above and beyond for service users, his team and the wider service. His commitment to advocacy, inclusion and better outcomes embodies the very best of social work. He is an asset to our profession and truly deserving of recognition as an Amazing Social Worker.
Nicola Jordan
Nicola is a social worker at Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Nicola (Nic) works endlessly to ensure her clients are always comfortable, cared about and advocated for. She goes above and beyond to ensure that people’s voices are heard, she harnesses her warm personality so people are able to share their experiences with her so she can endeavour to harness the best outcomes for people. She is not afraid to professionally question decisions made by others to ensure the systemic problems do not directly affect the people she supports. Nic deserves to hear how amazing she is so she can continue to change people’s lives for the better. All the while using her own experiences and knowledge of being neurodiverse and being a loving single mother to support her practice.
Nikita Welsh
Nikita is a social worker at East Riding Council
Nikita consistently goes above and beyond in her role as an Advanced Social Worker, demonstrating exceptional dedication to the children and families she supports. A recent example highlights her commitment: Nikita attended an awards ceremony out of hours with a Child Looked After. When the young person struggled to leave the car, Nikita showed creativity and compassion, trying multiple ways to engage them without pressure. Although the child chose to remain in the car, they did not ask to return home. To ensure they still felt included, Nikita arranged for the venue doors to be opened so the child could hear the event and personally recorded the ceremony for them. This thoughtful approach turned a challenging situation into a positive experience for the young person.
This is just one glimpse of Nikita’s outstanding work. She consistently prioritises the voices and needs of children, finding innovative solutions to overcome barriers and create meaningful experiences. Her actions reflect not only professional excellence but also genuine care and empathy, making a lasting impact on the lives of those she supports.
Onyeka Chukwuma
Onyekachukwu is a social worker at Lambeth Social Services
Nomination 1
I am pleased to nominate Onyeka Chukwuma for the Amazing Social Worker Award for his demonstrable, high‑impact practice within the hospital discharge team. This submission emphasises concrete, evidenced actions and outcomes that illustrate Onyeka’s clinical skill, legal and ethical rigour, systems leadership, and direct benefit to patients and families.
Clinical assessment and decision making
- Onyeka conducts structured, evidence‑based biopsychosocial assessments that explicitly record cognition, functional ability (ADLs), risks, home environment, carer capacity and safeguarding concerns, ensuring that discharge recommendations are defensible, auditable and shared with the MDT.
- He routinely completes Mental Capacity Act assessments with clear reasoning documented, convenes best‑interests meetings when required, and secures advocacy (IMCA) promptly for patients without family, ensuring decisions meet statutory requirements.
- Example: For a complex patient with fluctuating capacity and high care needs, Onyeka led the MCA process, chaired a best‑interests meeting involving psychiatry, ward consultants and family liaison, and documented the rationale and chosen options in the electronic record to provide a clear legal audit trail.
Practical care planning and package escalation
- Onyeka translates assessment into operationalised care packages: he specifies tasks, frequency, supervision and escalation triggers so community providers receive an actionable plan rather than high‑level requests.
- He successfully negotiated and secured an increment to a patient’s care package where initial domiciliary support was insufficient. Working with brokerage, community nursing, and the family, Onyeka converted a limited day‑time package into a 24‑hour package of care and arranged a short period of enhanced support on discharge while a long‑term plan was finalised. This avoided placement out of area and prevented a likely prolonged inpatient stay.
- Example: In one case he arranged the enhanced package within 48 hours of the discharge decision, coordinating brokerage, care provider assessment, and funding sign‑off, which delivered a safe, person‑centred discharge on the planned date.
Systems navigation, funding and safeguarding
- Onyeka demonstrates technical knowledge of funding pathways (Section 117, CHC screening and referrals, self‑funders), and completes the necessary checklists and referrals without delay to avoid funding‑related discharge barriers.
- He proactively identifies safeguarding issues and escalates appropriately, working with safeguarding colleagues to place timely protections around vulnerable patients.
- Example: He completed a CHC checklist and initiated a fast‑track discussion for a patient with progressive needs while simultaneously arranging a temporary commissioned package, ensuring there was no gap in care during eligibility determination.
Multidisciplinary leadership and measurable impact
- Onyeka builds reliable working relationships across ward staff, therapists, consultants, discharge coordinators and external providers, which reduces repetition, avoids delays and improves handover quality.
- He developed and piloted a ward discharge checklist that standardised information sharing (medical summary, dependent risks, SEN/communication needs, equipment requirements), reducing missed items on handover and improving readiness for community teams.
- Example: The checklist, championed by Onyeka, is now used across multiple wards and has measurably reduced follow‑up queries from community teams and decreased avoidable rework in brokerage requests.
I strongly recommend Onyeka Chukwuma for the Amazing Social Worker Award. His practice is evidence‑based, practically oriented and consistently leads to safer, more dignified discharges for patients with complex needs. Onyeka Chukwuma truly deserve this nomination. His writing skills and reflective practice is second to none.
Nomination 2
I am proud to nominate Onyeka Chukwuma for recognition as an exceptional social worker. Despite being the youngest member of our team, Onyeka consistently demonstrates a level of professionalism and insight that is truly remarkable. His assessments are not only well-written but also reflect a deep understanding of the complexities of our work. I greatly admire Onyeka’s pragmatism and zeal. He approaches each case with clarity, purpose, and a genuine commitment to making a difference. His organisational skills are outstanding, and he has a natural ability to solve problems efficiently and thoughtfully. Onyeka is also a fantastic team player—collaborative, supportive, and always willing to contribute. His presence uplifts the team, and his dedication inspires those around him. I sincerely hope Onyeka gets to see this nomination and knows how much he is appreciated.
Nomination 3
I am proud to nominate Onyeka Chukwuma, a medical social worker. From the moment he enters a ward he brings a calm, analytical clarity that steadies families, clinicians, and multidisciplinary teams alike. His assessments are precise, his decisions are balanced between safety and dignity, and his focus is always on sustainable, person‑centred outcomes.
Clinical excellence and professional maturity. Onyeka demonstrates clinical reasoning and ethical insight that belong to a seasoned practitioner. He synthesises complex medical information, social context, and family dynamics quickly and accurately, producing care plans that reduce risk and promote long‑term wellbeing. He anticipates discharge barriers, coordinates multi‑agency responses, and secures community supports in ways that shorten hospital stays and prevent unnecessary readmissions.
Communication and relationship building. Onyeka explains difficult options in clear, compassionate language, turning confusion into understanding and fear into realistic hope. He builds trust with patients from diverse backgrounds and translates social needs into actionable plans for clinicians and community partners. His ability to hold difficult conversations with empathy and firmness is a model for the whole team.
Advocacy and ethical leadership. He consistently challenges decisions that would disadvantage vulnerable people, insisting on trauma‑informed, culturally responsive approaches. Onyeka holds systems to account with professionalism and moral clarity, ensuring policy never eclipses the person at the centre of care.
Innovation and measurable impact. Onyeka has introduced practical pathways for complex discharges and multi‑agency planning that have improved flow and outcomes. His interventions have led to faster discharges, fewer readmissions, and higher satisfaction among service users and families. Beyond metrics, he leaves services better equipped to respond to vulnerability long after individual cases close.
Mentorship and team influence. He invests time in newly qualified staff through reflective supervision and hands‑on coaching, raising confidence and competence across the team. His quiet leadership improves morale and creates a culture where learning and compassion are standard practice.
Cultural competence and community connection. Onyeka bridges clinical systems and grassroots networks, tailoring interventions to cultural needs and building trust that leads to sustained engagement. He opens access for people who might otherwise avoid statutory support.
Character and integrity. He carries heavy caseloads with humility and emotional intelligence, accepts responsibility, learns from difficult outcomes, and never seeks credit. His focus is always the person in front of him.
I truly wish he sees this post. Onyeka Chukwuma combines exceptional clinical skill, clear communication, courageous advocacy, and a deep commitment to community—qualities that make him not only an outstanding medical social worker but a transformative force in practice. He is exactly the kind of professional BASW should celebrate. I have known him because he inspired me when I knew him at mental community team. He inspires me and I felt nominating him for BASW will be a way to encourage and appreciate. This is my kind gesture thanking you for your support during placement.
Nomination 4
Onyeka has performed well and applied theories and values of social work in his practice. He has taken a strength perspective approach in identifying people's strength, what matters to them, support from families and friends to ensure progress to independence. He recognises that every individual is different and provides support ensuring that it tailor suit them. He has worked with people whose English is not first language and required interpreters.
It is evident that Onyeka has good knowledge base of legislation covering social work practice including Care Act, Mental Capacity Act. He has used these in assessing needs and also in completing mental capacity assessments.
Onyeka uses his communication skills well when communicating with professionals which has made him successful in collaborative working with other professionals. He has also tapped on to the communication skills when working with clients and their families hence able to provide tailored support. I can foresee Onyeka developing well in the field of social work practice.
Paul Bate
Paul is a social worker at City of Wolverhampton Council
Paul is a social worker in our newly established Disabilities Service in Wolverhampton. Paul demonstrates unwavering kindness, empathy, and commitment to the people he supports. Paul consistently adopts a rights-based approach, ensuring that every individual’s voice is heard and respected, and is deeply passionate about empowering people to achieve their fullest potential.
Paul excels at building strong, trusting relationships-not only with individuals and families, but also with colleagues and partners. Paul’s integrity and reliability have made them a trusted figure within the service. Paul has a strong sense of social justice, which really shone when he was supporting a young man through a safeguarding concern.
In every aspect of their work, Paul shows the values and vision of our service. Paul is truly an asset to the Disabilities Service, he is the social worker we would all want for ourselves and our relatives, so deserves to be recognised.
Paul Morris
Paul is a specialist trainer at Learning and Development - Hull City Council
Paul is a Specialist Trainer for Hull City Council and he has been a qualified social worker for almost 20 years. He is currently delivering training to the workforce, amongst many others, including Virtual Reality Knife Crime, Virtual Reality Trauma Informed , Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Signs of Safety. Paul also delivers training nationally on Restorative Practice.
Paul has a background in residential care, supporting children and young people who are suffering with mental health issues and families through the Family Group Conferencing process.
Paul is a credit to the learning and development team, his knowledge, passion and humour shines through to all he trains, and he is pleasure to train alongside of. He is described as embracing everything that is asked of him.
Paul has completed the first section of Trauma Virtual Reality training to an expectant young Mum who was being supported by Children’s Social Care. The young person explained she felt she gained a greater insight onto how her baby is feeling and growing and developing in the womb, how stress and noise etc might affect her baby. It also supported her to think about her own childhood experiences and how her parent’s behaviour might have affected her development growing up. Her worker shared that the way that Paul explained everything to the young person made all the difference in helping her to truly understand.
Preethi Rajan
Preethi is a social worker at Coventry City Council
Nomination 1
I would like to nominate Preethi for her outstanding dedication and truly restorative approach to social work. She consistently places relationships, respect, and empowerment at the heart of her practice. Preethi works alongside children, parents, and professionals to build solutions with them rather than for them, ensuring that every voice is central to decision-making. Her calm, thoughtful presence, and her integrity and compassion set a standard for the whole team. Preethi exemplifies what restorative, child-centred social work should be, and she makes a meaningful difference every single day.
Nomination 2
Preethi's personal and professional growth from Newly Qualified Social Worker to completing her progression after her second year has been both humbling and a delight to be a part of. She practices in compassionate and relentlessly relational way with children, parents, professionals and her colleagues. Preethi advocates strongly for the children and families she is social worker too. She is an unassuming young woman who shows humility, grace and a confidence to enhance the learning of others. Preethi was observed supporting a mature student on their social work qualification journey in learning our Family Valued Practice Framework. Preethi is a luminary within the social work profession and she doesn't even realise it.
Rebecca Bolton
Rebecca is a social worker at Op Courage NW Core
Rebecca always has a kind compliment and heart of gold. She strives to provide the best of care to all the service users. She uses a blend of approaches to meet individuals needs.
As part of the team she is always enthusiastic and keen to develop her skills. She is never afraid to take on challenging cases to add to her learning. She speaks up in team discussions and brings fresh new ideas. She finds creative ways to work with her case load which help her to develop therapeutic and trusting relationships.
She is mindful of her service user and colleagues needs and is always happy to help others even with her own case load and own things going on. Asset to our team. Her enthusiasm is contagious!
Her only downfall- she doesn't put the kettle on enough!!
Charlie Metcalf
Charlie is a student at Hull City Council
Charlie has demonstrated exceptional initiative and commitment during their student placement by supporting the development and delivery of a Bright Spots Survey for Care Leavers . This project was designed to capture the voices of those who matter most care leavers and the feedback will help shape future practice.
Through careful planning, engagement, and analysis, Charlie engaged in the planning, and undertaking of the survey with care leavers, he was able to support those with disabilities to participate ensuring this was inclusive. Over 60% of care leavers have already been reached and with a few weeks remaining, we are confident that this will be higher, this is a fantastic achievement and one Charlie should be proud to have supported. A great start to his apprenticeship in social work and deserving of a nomination.
Claudia Hale
Claudia is a student at Wolverhampton City Council
I had the privilege of being Claudia's practice educator during her final placement within Wolverhampton City Council. Claudia excelled in all areas of social work practice; constantly seeking and applying feedback to develop her social work identity. She had a real ‘can do’ attitude; viewing organisational and practice challenges she faced as opportunities for growth rather than barriers to her development. What makes Claudia a truly amazing social work student is that the feedback from those she supported, and their families, all focused on her empathic, person-centred approach. They all wanted Claudia to continue working with them once she qualified, and a professional also stated that Claudia is the “kind of social worker I would like to support my loved ones”. This says it all!
Luckily for Wolverhampton City Council and the people we work alongside, Claudia has now chosen to join adult social care as an ASYE. I can’t wait to see where her social work journey takes her next. Well done Claudia!
Emma Jones
Emma is a student at North Lincolnshire Council
Emma is an exceptional social work apprentice who consistently demonstrates skill, professionalism, and commitment. Her assessments and support planning are exemplary, rooted in strength-based, person-centred, and relational practice. Emma ensures that individuals’ voices remain central to every decision, approaching each person with empathy and respect.
Her ability to identify and build on people’s strengths is outstanding. Emma goes beyond completing assessments—she creates opportunities for empowerment, helping individuals recognise their own capabilities and resources. This approach promotes independence and dignity, which are fundamental to excellent social work practice.
Emma’s relational skills further set her apart. She quickly builds trust and maintains positive, professional relationships with individuals, families, and colleagues. Her calm, thoughtful manner encourages collaboration and ensures people feel heard and valued throughout the process.
Emma’s dedication and professionalism make her a true asset to the team. She is not only meeting the expectations of her apprenticeship but exceeding them, setting a high standard for practice and inspiring those around her. Emma is thoroughly deserving of recognition for her exceptional contribution and the positive impact she makes every day.
Lily Andrew
Lily is a student at East Riding Of Yorkshire Council
Lily has recently successfully completed her social work apprenticeship with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Lincoln University achieving a First Class Honours Degree in Social Work. She has now began her journey as a Newly Qualified Social Worker within our Children’s Assessment Service.
Lily has demonstrated professionalism, curiosity and an unwavering commitment to children, young people and their families. She is able to build trusting, compassionate and collaborative relationships, whilst always ensuring children are at the heart of every discussion. She champions for meaningful interventions that have made a real difference to deliver good outcomes, supporting children and young people to lead fulfilling lives where they are happy, healthy, confident and safe. Lily’s confidence has grown in having difficult conversations, where she recognises even in the most challenging of circumstances, she always maintains kindness and respect. She has a clear passion for social justice to challenge discriminatory practice, especially around the use of language.
Lily is an invaluable member of our Local Authority. She not only has a deep commitment to her own development but also a genuine dedication to supporting those around her. Lily goes out of her way to check in on her colleagues, offering encouragement and positivity that uplifts everyone around her. Her approachable nature, enthusiasm and infectious smile, creates a space for everyone to feel seen and heard. Not only has she been an outstanding apprentice, she is a future leader who is influencing and inspiring the next generation of social work practice.
Sara Kulpa
Sara is a student at Foster Wales Bridgend County Borough Council
Sara joined our team in September 2025 as trainee social worker having a background in safeguarding in Education. Sara is undertaking her final social work placement at Foster Wales Bridgend and from the first day she has been a pleasure to have in the team. Sara is motivated, able to work on her own initiative and is keen to learn and develop her social work practice. She is professionally curious and child focused. Sara is flexible in her approach and is a team player. I look forward to following Sara’s journey and seeing her grow withing the fostering service.
Sophie Green
Sophie is a student at Wolverhampton CAYPIC Team 2
Sophie has recently rejoined the team as a Student Social Worker, having previously contributed as a Family Support Worker. During her short time in this new role, Sophie has demonstrated impressive growth, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to developing her social work practice.
She has quickly developed a solid understanding of social work principles and approaches, showing initiative and passion in supporting the children allocated to her.
Sophie is highly motivated to learn and consistently embraces new challenges, viewing them as valuable opportunities for professional development. Her ability to adapt and apply learning in real situations reflects both resilience and a proactive mindset.
Sophie approaches her work with professionalism and maturity, and she is beginning to think deeply about the child’s inner world, the impact of trauma, and the complexities of relationships.
This reflective practice is a significant strength and shows her potential to become an outstanding social worker. Her willingness to engage with complex issues and maintain a child-centered focus is a strength.
Overall, Sophie’s progress in such a short period is remarkable. She combines curiosity with compassion, and her commitment to growth is evident in everything she does. She is a valued member of the team, and her future in social work looks very promising.
Steph Colgan
Steph is a student at Staffordshire County Council
Although still a student social worker, Steph approached her work professionally and in a timely manner ensuring that she doesn’t compromise on the quality of her assessments - she is a delight to work with and will go far.
Robert Tunley
Robert is a social worker at Hull City Council
Rob is an exceptional practitioner within the Assessment Team, known for his ability to engage well with families and build connections, he listens and enjoys meeting families and seeking family led plans. His practice reflects a deep commitment to a whole family approach with a real focus on family network meetings and developing safety plans.
Alongside his role his dedication to supporting and mentoring students. He creates a welcoming environment for learning, sharing his knowledge and experience generously, and guiding future social workers with patience and encouragement. His ability to balance high-quality assessments with the responsibility of developing others demonstrates great leadership and professionalism.
Colleagues describe him as approachable, reliable, and helpful. Rob the Academy appreciate your dedication to students.
Rosie Bell
Rosie is a social worker at Hull City Council
Rosie is an exceptional practitioner whose work is defined by connection, trust, and advocacy. Rosie supports children in care in her current role as a social worker, which she has done for many years.
Rosie builds long lasting relationships with children and their families and carers, ensuring that every child feels heard, valued, and understood. Her ability to seek and respect children’s views is second to none she knows the children she works with so well that her plans truly reflect their wishes and feelings.
Her approach to corporate parenting is outstanding. She goes beyond statutory responsibilities, acting as a true champion for children in care. Through her commitment and creativity, she ensures that children’s voices shape decisions and that their experiences remain at the heart of practice.
Colleagues and families alike describe her as someone who thinks beyond the immediate task, focusing on building networks and creating stability for the future. Audit activity has highlighted good insight of the children's needs and a holistic approach to ensuring children have a sense of belonging.
Roxxi Blackburn
Roxxi is a social worker at Midlands Partnership Foundation University Trust Adult Social Care Mental Health team
Roxxi is a shining example of what the profession stands for, courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to social justice. Despite being relatively new to social work, they have embraced their role with passion and purpose, demonstrating qualities that inspire confidence in the future of social work.
Roxxi always focuses on the person, their identity, goals, and aspirations while advocating fiercely for independence, empowerment and the least restrictive approaches. Through a strengths-based approach and relational based practice, they have held the hope for a brighter future for a young person who has spent much of their life in institutional settings. Their confidence, determination, and professional curiosity ensure that every decision in co-production with the person and is made in the best interests of the individual. Unafraid to challenge systems and expectations, they consistently strive for fairness and equity.
Roxxi's dedication, skill, and values embody the very essence of our profession. With their courage to challenge, commitment to inclusion, and ability to inspire hope, they are not only transforming lives today but shaping the future of social work. I am proud to nominate them for this award and look forward to seeing them continue to flourish and lead with integrity.
Ruth Leon
Ruth is a social worker at Wolverhampton CAYPIC Team 2
Ruth is an exceptionally caring and deeply committed member of the CAYPIC service, bringing over eight years of invaluable experience and dedication to her role. Throughout her time with the team, Ruth has consistently provided children with the security, stability, and continuity they need to thrive during their journey-through challenges, growth, and life transitions. Her ability to build strong, trusting relationships has been instrumental in supporting children not only through childhood but successfully into adulthood.
Ruth’s impact is widely recognized and celebrated by foster carers, partner agencies, and service users alike, who frequently commend her compassionate approach, unwavering support, and genuine care. She embodies the principles of a truly human-centered approach, always prioritizing the needs of the children above all else. Ruth regularly goes above and beyond-working late evenings, making herself available when needed, and ensuring that every child feels valued and supported. Her selflessness and dedication are evident in the countless times she has put the needs of her children before her own.
Perhaps the most powerful testament to Ruth’s character is the feedback from those who know her best: “If I ever needed a social worker, I would want one like Ruth.” This statement speaks volumes about the respect and admiration she has earned. Ruth is not only a skilled professional but a compassionate advocate who pours her heart into achieving the best possible outcomes for every child she supports. Her work leaves a lasting legacy of love, care, and hope for the future.
Salma Parveen
Salma is a social worker at Wolverhampton CAYPIC Team 2
Salma joined the CAYPIC service in March 2025 and during her time with the team she has developed a good understanding of the work CAYPIC do.
Salma has demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism throughout a highly challenging and time-consuming task. Her hard work and perseverance have resulted in an outcome that aligns with what the Local Authority believes is in XX’s best interest-a clear reflection of her commitment to achieving the best possible result for the child.
Managing such a complex situation required resilience, composure, and strong organizational skills, all of which Salma displayed consistently. Even during moments of pressure, she coordinated transition meetings effectively, kept processes on track, and ensured that all parties remained engaged and informed. Her ability to maintain focus and clarity in a demanding environment speaks volumes about her leadership and problem-solving abilities.
This was an entirely new area of work for Salma, yet she approached it with positivity and adaptability. Rather than being daunted by the challenges, she embraced the opportunity to learn and grow, turning the experience into a valuable learning journey for herself and the wider team. Her proactive attitude and willingness to step outside her comfort zone highlight her strength of character and commitment to professional development.
While there were inevitable obstacles along the way, Salma managed and progressed the situation with professionalism, resilience, and determination. The final outcome reflects not only her individual effort but also a strong team ethos and a shared dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for XX. Salma’s work in this case stands as a testament to her integrity, compassion, and exceptional skill as a practitioner.
Sarah Cornwall
Sarah is a social worker at Wolverhampton Fostering Team
Sarah is an exceptionally quick learner and a highly proactive professional whose support to social workers is truly invaluable. Her adaptability and ability to grasp new concepts swiftly enable her to provide timely and effective assistance, often anticipating needs before they arise.
Her dedication and commitment to the team around the child go far beyond expectations, consistently ensuring that social workers have the resources and guidance they need to deliver outstanding care and progress SGO plans. Sarah’s unwavering support has directly contributed to achieving excellent outcomes for children, reflecting her deep sense of responsibility and passion for making a positive difference.
She is not only reliable and efficient but also a collaborative team player who brings positivity and strength to every challenge. Sarah’s proactive approach and willingness to go the extra mile make her a great asset to the team around the child and a true champion for achieving great outcomes for children .
Samantha Matthews
Samantha is a social worker at Staffordshire County Council
Sam is someone who brings enthusiasm and care to work every day. Sam had a long career in Social Care before qualifying as a Social Worker and it feels like she has reflected on every piece of learning and feedback from people she has worked with and brings that with her to her practice.
Sam is deeply reflective and is passionate about Social Work theory, legislation, and research and how that can be incorporated into practice.
Sam’s current role as Consultant Social Worker Educator is the perfect use of her skills, knowledge, experience and passion for Social Work. She supports colleagues in a warm and inclusive way, engaging people in what they feel they need for their development then researching and delivering this. Whether it be 1:1 mentoring, group reflective sessions or Practice Education, Sam approaches her work with people with creativity and a deep thirst for knowledge.
Sam is full of ideas, and I love working with her as she will always have a relevant theory to use or an attractive way of presenting learning. She is also extremely empathetic and looks out for her colleagues, checking in with their wellbeing and offering support. Sam is also great at stocking up the treat cupboard for those days when chocolate is a necessity!!
Steph Craig
Steph is a social worker at South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust - Community Mental Health Team, Lisburn East
Steph exemplifies the very best of mental health social work. She is an unwavering advocate for service users, consistently ensuring that their voices are heard, their rights upheld and their individual needs at the centre of every decision. Colleagues repeatedly comment on her ability to challenge respectfully ad confidently on behalf of those who she supports - whether it is in a complex MDT, safeguarding meetings, or during crisis interventions. Her commitment to trauma informed, strengths-based practice is evident in every interaction.
Beyond her exceptional clinical and social skills, Steph brings an invaluable sense of humanity, compassion and positivity to the team. She is the person who checks in on others, lifts morale during challenging periods, encourages colleagues to reflect, grow and remain grounded in social work values. She models resilience and emotional intelligence, helping create a safe and supportive team culture where staff feel valued and empowered and never forgets a birthday!
Steph's work ethic is outstanding: she consistently goes above and beyond what is expected, proactively identifying gaps in support and working creatively with partners to improve outcomes. She has supported some of our most complex service users with dignity, persistence and unwavering belief in their potential with deep empathy.
In a demanding service Steph is the embodiment of professional integrity, advocacy, and kindness. She enhances the lives of service users and strengthens he team around her.
Stephen Davis
Stephen is a social worker at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
I am nominating Stephen Davis for Amazing Social Worker 2026.
Over the last few years in the team, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication, compassion, and professionalism in supporting individuals and their families.
Stephen consistently goes above and beyond to advocate for clients facing complex challenges, and advocates for their needs and wishes. This can be for someone who is in mental health crisis, homeless or in urgent need of support.
Colleagues frequently commend Stephen for their collaborative work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to supporting others in the team.
Stephen has supported a number of individuals in very complex situations, which he has handled amazingly, and managed to get them the support they need.
In addition to their direct work with clients, Stephen has made meaningful contributions to the wider organisation, with mentoring students and apprentices, and creating innovative approaches to improve the support our team provides.
Stephen embodies the core values of the social work profession: dignity, integrity and social justice. The dedication to he has to his work has changed lives, strengthened community support relationships, and uplifted countless individuals.
Tim Tottman
Tim is a social worker at East London Foundation Trust
Tim Tottman is an exceptional social worker whose dedication, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to person-centred care make a remarkable difference within the acute mental health wards.
In a demanding environment characterised by relentless admissions and complex discharge planning, Tim stands out as a calm, reliable, and highly skilled professional. He consistently demonstrates an extraordinary ability to balance clinical priorities with social care needs, ensuring that each patient’s journey from admission to discharge is safe, well-coordinated, and recovery-focused.
Tim’s meticulous approach to case management ensures that no detail is overlooked. He works tirelessly to bring together multidisciplinary teams, housing providers, community services, and families to develop clear, sustainable discharge plans. His proactive planning and collaborative style help prevent delays, promote continuity of care, and support the smooth flow of patients through the system - ultimately improving outcomes for individuals and the wider service.
Beyond his professional excellence, Tim embodies the core values of social work: empathy, advocacy, and empowerment. He is known for his calm presence, clear communication, and willingness to go the extra mile for service users and colleagues alike. His work exemplifies dedication to both people and process-balancing compassion with precision, and care with accountability.
Tim’s outstanding contribution to managing the pressures of acute mental health services, while maintaining a focus on dignity, safety, and person-centred practice, makes him truly deserving of this recognition.
Vintee Adjei
Vintee is a social worker at BCP Council
Vintee exemplifies the core values of social work, consistently placing the people we support at the centre of every decision. She demonstrates a commitment to promoting choice and independence, while carefully balancing risks to ensure safety and wellbeing. Her practice reflects a deep understanding of proportionality and empowerment, enabling individuals to live fulfilling lives without unnecessary restrictions.
What truly sets Vintee apart is her natural ability to mentor and guide colleagues. She provides clear direction and practical support, fostering reflective practice and a collaborative team culture. Her approach inspires others to uphold high standards of care and ethical decision-making.
Vintee’s dedication, integrity, and willingness to go above and beyond make her an invaluable asset to the wider profession. She consistently breaks down complex tasks into small, manageable, and achievable goals both for her peers and for the people she supports ensuring progress feels attainable and empowering.
Zoe Skerry
Zoe is a consultant social worker at MPFT
Zoe is an exceptional social worker who consistently advocates for those she supports, always prioritising their well-being above her own. Her dedication goes beyond service users she is equally passionate about supporting her colleagues, fostering a positive and collaborative environment for everyone.