Cafcass winners at the 2023 Social Worker of the Year Awards

Cafcass is pleased to announce that both the organisation and shortlisted individual nominees have won four prestigious awards at the 2023 Social Worker of the Year Awards, in the following categories:

• Gold Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker Award – won by Clare Burnett

The Gold Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker of the Year Award is for those with less than one year’s experience who have made a positive difference to the lives of children through their outstanding work.

Clare always keeps children at the heart of her practice, going above and beyond to enable families to feel respected and valued. She continually brings a fresh perspective with her positive and innovative approach, drive and determination, and impressive knowledge. Cafcass is lucky to have Clare as part of its team and congratulates her on her success in winning this award. Thank you, Clare for all that you are doing here with us!

• Silver Lifetime Achievement Award – won by Sarah Parsons

The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual who has dedicated their entire working life to social work and has consistently made a positive difference within their community.

Sarah is Cafcass’ Principal Social Worker and Deputy Director for Performance and Improvement. She has worked at Cafcass for over twenty years. With more than 35 years dedicated to public service as a social worker, Sarah has focused her career with sensitivity and compassion on improving outcomes for children and families in the family courts. She has made an enormous difference to many children and families over the years, as well as to the development of Cafcass’ professional practice, its culture and to her colleagues. Not only is she this brilliant, she is fun, kind and always willing to lend a hand with her busy schedule. Thank you, Sarah – it’s an everyday special treat working with you.

• Silver Supportive Social Work Employer

The Supportive Social Work Employer Award recognises social work organisations delivering excellent practice as an employer while inspiring employees to achieve their best.

Cafcass’ success in winning this silver award is recognition for a commitment to strong organisational values and the associated unified model of relationship-based practice with children and families which extends to everyone working at Cafcass regardless of their role and responsibility. Winning the Silver Supportive Social Work Employer Award recognises Cafcass’ comprehensive employee wellbeing strategy which includes a dedicated wellbeing team, staff diversity networks, recognition events and scheduled wellbeing days. Further, it also recognises the Together promise which sets out how business and corporate services colleagues embrace the values and ambitions of our strategy to be exceptional for all children, every where and all of the time. Especially well done to our HR colleagues who lead this work so ably alongside their leader Adam Bowles. Brilliant!

• Silver Student Social Worker of the Year Award – won by Lloyd Haskin

The Silver Student Social Worker of the Year award is for university students studying social work who are showing outstanding potential in their studies, surpassing expectations and demonstrating a thorough understanding of social work theory and practice.

Lloyd studied Social Work with the University of Plymouth and during his placement year with Cafcass, made a huge impact on the children and families with whom he worked. Cafcass is very proud of him and his achievement in winning this award. We are equally proud of Liz Wilson, our service manager who has supported Lloyd and accompanied him to the awards. What a fantastic start to your career Lloyd – we’re proud!

Cafcass would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees at this year’s awards – they all deserve our thanks and recognition for their outstanding work to support children and young people.

“I am delighted by and so proud of our success at the 2023 Social Worker of the Year Awards. We are all working so hard to be more than just 'good enough', and these awards are testimony of the extra effort, skill and experience that so many of our people bring to work every day. These moments of recognition sometime feel like they don’t matter – but they do! They give people a moment to listen to others in social work organisations who are changing the lives of children and adults. They give the profession a status and recognition that is often overlooked. It’s just very wonderful to celebrate together and then to celebrate a little bit more with our own.

“I would like to congratulate Lloyd Haskin for winning the Silver Student Social Worker of the Year Award and Clare Burnett for winning the Gold Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker Award. These are tremendous accolades for the individuals concerned and I know their work has been truly outstanding. I would also like to congratulate and thank particularly our HR colleagues who have enabled our win in the Supportive Employer category. This award is evidence of our serious commitment to our people and our hopes of being an employer of choice where great work happens.

“Finally, I could not possibly be any more satisfied and humbled that Sarah Parsons has won the Silver Lifetime Achievement Award. Her dedication to improving outcomes for children and young people is truly an inspiration to us all and I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to recognise her long and distinguished career. Well done, Sarah! And thank you for everything you do here at Cafcass – your contribution over the years has been very much appreciated. Not only are you so good at what you do, but you have a lovely smile, a fun personality and I enjoy working with you everyday!”

A full list of winners will soon be available on the Social Worker of the Year Awards website.