2018 Social Work Awards Now Open for Nominations

Nominations for the Social Work Awards 2018 are now open.  The Social Work Awards scheme, now in its sixth year, recognises and rewards the efforts of social workers and highlights the positive impact of the profession on individuals, families and communities. Nominations for the awards are invited from social work agencies and social workers in the statutory, voluntary, private, education and training sectors.

People who have used social work services, carers and employers who are nominating a team or individual will have the opportunity to acknowledge the positive contribution social workers have made for them.

Fionnuala McAndrew, Director of Social Care and Children, Health and Social Care Board, who launched the awards, said she was looking forward to seeing many inspiring entries over coming weeks.
“Social work has been on a journey over the last 40 years or so with many changes to our social work profession. Our population has become more diverse and transient and this in itself brings new challenges for social workers,” she said.

“Social work makes an important contribution to help people in crisis and those living in difficult environments to access the help that they need and to bring about positive changes in their lives. Much of this work goes unnoticed but the Social Work Awards provide us with the opportunity to honour these inspirational professionals and teams.”

“I would encourage my social work colleagues to nominate as many individuals, teams and projects as possible. I have always been impressed by the standard of entries, finalists and winners over past years and anticipate the same high calibre of nominations in this year’s awards,” said Ms. McAndrew.

This year, the Social Work Awards will be hosted by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and shortlisted finalists will be invited to a celebratory lunch at Galgorm Manor, Ballymena on 9th March 2018.

Led by the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), the Social Work Awards scheme is organised in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), the Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers (NIASW), and the five Health and Social Care Trusts in partnership with social work organisations from criminal justice, education and the voluntary and independent sectors.

Colum Conway, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, said: “We have just over 6000 social workers practising in Northern Ireland. It is very important that we take every opportunity to raise the profile of social work as a profession and to recognise their valuable contribution to our communities; enabling people to achieve their potential and to live their lives as independently as possible.”

Entry forms and the information pack are now available on the NISCC website on www.niscc.info.
The closing date for entries is 25th October 2017, so it’s time to think about your nominations now and download, complete and submit your application form.