Brighton & Hove social workers recognised at national awards ceremony
Two social workers from Brighton & Hove City Council have been named as winners at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2024.
The annual awards recognise and celebrate best practice, leadership, teamwork, research, teaching and advocacy within social work in England.
The winners were announced at a ceremony in London on Friday 8 November.
Gold award for research
Anna Bouch, who is a professional education consultant in our adult social care team, won the gold award in the Practitioner-Led Research category.
Anna, who has worked at the council since 1996, is responsible for supporting and educating students and newly qualified and experienced social workers.
Anna explored the Care Act concept of wellbeing in her research - looking at how social workers use the concept in their own practice and undertaking a research study. Her findings were published in national social work academic journals.
Anna went on to support more research, including a project on social work in hospitals, which has heavily influenced the development of a practitioner research culture within the council.
Anna said: “I didn’t expect this at all, it’s incredible. To hear the kind words of those who nominated me, it means the world. It’s also the first time this award has been given, so to see Practitioner-Led Research up there with all those other categories really makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Lifetime achievement
Jennifer Gander, senior social worker in our Families, Children and Learning directorate, won the silver award in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Jennifer has been a social worker for 50 years, working directly with hundreds of families and supporting countless children in care – almost since social work was created as a profession in 1970.
Jennifer said: “I am so proud to receive this award and the lovely words of those who nominated me were so humbling. I have worked with so many amazing professionals and families – it really doesn’t feel like 50 years.”
Decades-long commitment
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: "Congratulations to Anna and Jennifer! I’m thrilled that your service, empathy and compassion have been acknowledged on the national stage at the Social Worker of the Year Awards.
“This accolade recognises both women’s decades-long commitment to supporting children, families and adults in Brighton & Hove facing all sorts of challenges.
“We need talented, dedicated social workers to safeguard children and support adults to live independent and fulfilling lives – Anna and Jennifer have modelled just what this excellence looks like.”
Lorna Cornett, an approved mental health professional (AMHP) at Brighton & Hove City Council, was also shortlisted as a finalist in the AMHP of the Year category.
Lorna, who has been a practising social worker for 34 years, has been with the council for the past 5 years, undertaking complex Mental Health Act work, supporting children and young people and some of the city's most vulnerable adults.