National recognition for Social Work Education and Practice in our region

Winners of the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2024 will be announced next week – and the University of Hull and our regional practice partners are well-recognised amongst the finalists.

The prestigious annual awards, which include 18 categories from Social Work Lecturer of the year to Team Leader of the Year, celebrate high-quality practice, practice education, leadership, teamwork, innovation, research, teaching and advocacy within social work.

The significant number of shortlisted candidates reflects the strength of Social Work partnerships in our Humber region incorporating local authorities, the NHS and independent agencies across Hull, North and East Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

University of Hull lecturer David Marsland, who is shortlisted for University Social Work lecturer of the Year, said: “It is a most unexpected honour to be nominated for this national award.

"More importantly, the high number of shortlisted candidates from our region reflects the quality and commitment of our graduates and the commitment of our partners in practice alongside our own efforts at the University. Working together in the region, our Humber Social Work Teaching Partnership contributes to producing highly skilled Social Workers who will go on to support some of the most vulnerable citizens in our communities.”

Finalists were chosen by a panel of judges independent of the organising charity, the Social Work Awards Ltd, including previous award winners, social workers, sector leaders and people with lived experience of social work.

Tracy Meyerhoff, director of adult social care at Hull City Council, said: “Hull City Council is thrilled to congratulate all those shortlisted for this year’s Social Worker of the Year Awards. We are delighted that one of our dedicated team members Helen Hewitt has been shortlisted as well as others from our many partners that support adult social care in Hull.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the breadth of practice across our city, showcasing the positive outcomes and significant contributions of the social work profession to individuals, families, and communities.”

Shortlisted from our region are:

University Social Work Lecturer of the Year

David Marsland, University of Hull

Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year

Tafadzwa Nathaniel Gonditii, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust & Hull City Council

Social Justice Advocate Award

Helen Hewitt, Change, Grow, Live and Hull City Council

Mental Health Social Worker of the Year

Frances Ashton, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Team leader of the Year, adult services

Hazel Welburn, North Lincolnshire Council

Team of the Year, adult services (including multidisciplinary teams)

Hull Community Mental Health Team, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Practice Educator of the Year

Clare Alexander, North Lincolnshire Council

The chair of the Social Worker Awards, Peter Hay, said: “This year we received hundreds of entries which goes to show how passionate organisations and individuals are to shine a light on the inspirational achievements of an often-overlooked profession.

“We would like to thank all those who took the time to nominate a friend, colleague, or team for an award this year. To our finalists, we’d like to say congratulations! Being nominated for a national award, whilst supporting others during very challenging times in a year of big changes, is a remarkable achievement of which you should be very proud.”

The category winners, along with an overall social worker of the year, will be announced at the Social Worker Awards ceremony in London on 8 November 2024.