Southend Children’s Services stars nominated for awards!

Following outstanding work in Children's Services, Southend Adoption Team was shortlisted for the title of Children's Services Team of the Year, in the 2011 Social Worker of the Year Awards.  

Meanwhile, Ellie Hal-Fead was named as a finalist in the Practice Teacher of the Year award for her continuing efforts in teaching and supporting student social workers on work placements in Southend  

The finals ceremony takes place at the House of Lords on Friday 16th December with more than 170 social workers attending, along with awards sponsors: Sanctuary Personnel, Community Care, NSPCC, G4S and the British Association of Social Workers.  

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor Mark Flewitt said: "This is a huge accomplishment for everyone involved in our Children's Services team, especially following our good Ofsted report in April.  

"We put great effort into ensuring that we provide the best service we possibly can, so it's brilliant news that we are being recognised for our continuing hard work and dedication.  

"Special congratulations too, must go to Ellie for so successfully helping to train future social workers on their work placement, by passing on practical skills, expertise and experience."

Paul Cook, Managing Director of G4S Children's Services, sponsors of the Children's Team of the Year category, said: "This is a prestigious award that recognises the importance of teamwork in delivering positive outcomes for young people.  

"Our teams regularly work in partnership with social workers and value the contribution they make to young people's lives."  

Ten of the awards judges will be available to answer questions and debate social work issues with finalists and guests.  

Thirty finalists in nine individual categories will then battle it out, competing against each other, to be named the overall 'Social Worker of Year 2011'.

James Rook, managing director of Sanctuary Personnel, the headline sponsor and organiser of the event, added: "These awards are about recognising the best work in the profession.

"To reach the finals is an outstanding achievement in itself.  

"The awards aim to raise awareness of the challenging and diverse work that social workers do.

"They are helping to improve the reputation of social workers everywhere."  

The Social Worker of the Year Awards 2011 is a registered charity which aims to improve the reputation and understanding of the social work profession.  

For more information, and a full list of nominees, please visit http://www.socialworkawards.com/