‘Celebrating the unique identity, diversity, vibrancy, care and commitment of social workers’
Nominations for the 2025 Regional Social Work Awards are now open. The regional awards, which are being hosted by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust), will take place on Wednesday 26th March 2025 at the Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen.
The regional social work awards celebrates the exceptional work and dedication of social workers across Northern Ireland. There are eight award categories, all designed to acknowledge the breadth of social work and the individuals who have dedicated themselves to the profession.
Launching the awards, Tom Cassidy, Executive Director of Social Work at the Western Trust, said: “This is the first time the awards have taken place since 2021 and it is a privilege for the Western Trust to host them on behalf of the region.
“The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work that goes on every day across Northern Ireland that safeguards vulnerable children and adults. Often social workers get criticised for what they could have done better and we fail to recognise the daily efforts by social workers who constantly go beyond their working remit to develop positive relationship with families and reduce risks for those most vulnerable in our society.
Aine Morrison, Chief Social Worker, Department of Health (DoH) Said: ““Social Work is a unique profession because it focuses on empowering individuals, families and communities and working alongside them to address social issues and promote positive change. We do this through advocacy and by providing support, practical help, and above all by holding close to our social work values along the way”.
Patricia Higgins Chief Executive Officer, NISCC said: “We are fortunate in Northern Ireland to have a multi-cultural Social Work workforce that welcomes and celebrates diversity. The Social Work profession plays a crucial role in contributing to the well-being of all of the people of Northern Ireland within this unique context. We are also delighted that the awards will coincide with celebrating World Social Work Day”
The Awards are open to social workers and teams working in the statutory, voluntary, independent, education, justice, probation and training sectors in Northern Ireland. Applications are welcome from individuals/teams in all areas of Social Work; you do not have to be working in a unique project to submit an application. The BASW NI Lifetime Achievement Award is open to social workers in the service or who have retired. Previous applicants are welcome to reapply if their application has a different practice focus. Please read all of the information in this booklet before you complete and submit your entry.
Nominations for the awards are now open and close on Sunday 20th October via the buttons below.