26/03/2025
Eight inspiring social workers, teams and organisations from across Northern Ireland have been recognised for their contribution to their profession after winning top honours at the 2025 Regional Social Work Awards, held at the Manor House, Fermanagh this week.
Organised by Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust), the awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of practitioners and teams working in the statutory, voluntary, independent, education, justice, probation and training sectors in Northern Ireland. They also help raise the profile of Social Work as a profession and the positive impact it has on people’s lives.
Frontline social workers, managers, leaders, and teams were among those nominated for an award this year. Twenty-two finalists were shortlisted, from a record number of nominations, by panels of independent judges that included representation from the various sectors and service users.
Awards were presented in a range of categories that reflected the breadth of Social Work and highlighted the exceptional practice of the individuals and teams that have dedicated themselves to making a difference.
The ceremony was hosted by international award winning Science Communicator, turned musical comedian, Emer Maguire. Awards were presented by Executive Director of Social Work, Dr. Tom Cassidy and the Chief Executive of the Western Trust, Neil Guckian. The Chief Social Worker for Northern Ireland, Aine Morrison, was also in attendance, as well as Chair of the Western Trust, Dr Tom Frawley.
The Northern Community Social Work Team, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, picked up top honours in the Co-Production Award. Marian O’Rourke, Director of Regulation and Standards, Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) won the Contribution to Social Work Leadership category. The Aim to Change Team, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, were successful in the Nurturing Development Award category. Michelle Duffy, Independent Social Worker was the worthy winner of the People’s Choice award. Young Social Worker, Grace O’Neill, Western Trust, won the Rising Star Award. Matthew Golding, Western Trust impressed the panel to pick up the Spirit of Social Work award and Hayley Smyth, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, was presented with the Sunshine Award. The final award, the BASW NI Outstanding Achievement Award, was presented to Patricia Higgins, former Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) by Dr Ruth Allen, BAWS Chief Executive.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Dr. Tom Cassidy, said:
“The awards are a unique opportunity to demonstrate the dedication and innovation of many compassionate and dedicated social workers, and to hear about the outstanding social work practice being delivered across Northern Ireland.
“Being regionally recognised is an outstanding achievement not just for our winners but for every one of the twenty-two finalists. I’d like to acknowledge each of them, they should be extremely proud of their achievements. I would also like to personally congratulate our Western Trust finalists, Mathew, Angelina, Christine, Norma, Nichola and Grace.”
Aine Morrison, Chief Social Worker, Department of Health, said:
“I want to say huge congratulations to all the award winners as well as those who have been nominated and shortlisted. Each of you has demonstrated excellence and I applaud you all. You should be deeply proud.
“Social Workers are very often called to support people when they are at their most vulnerable. That is vitally important work and can be very rewarding, but also often personally and professionally stressful, particularly given current workforce pressures.
“But please be assured of the difference you are making to those you care for and their families in communities right across Northern Ireland. These awards reflect your commitment, professionalism, and empathy. Well done to you all”
More information on the finalists can be found here
The Western Trust finalists were: Grace O’Neill, Family and Childcare Social Worker (Rising Star Award); Angelina McCann, Community and Mental Health Team Manager (Contribution to Social Work Leadership); Norma Cairns, Service Manager, Learning Development and Governance (Sunshine Award); Matthew Golding, Residential Social Worker (Spirit of Social Work); Nichola Farren, Family and Childcare Social Worker (People’s Choice) and Christine Brace, Senior Social Work Practitioner in the Primary Care Multi-Disciplinary Service (People’s Choice).
