East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Pathway team is celebrating after winning the national Social Worker Team of the Year Award 2017.
The team, which supports looked-after young people and care leavers from the age of 16 years, won the award as a result of its outstanding work with children and their families.
Team members won the Team of the Year, Children’s Services prize, which recognises the achievements and successes of the profession’s most innovative and dedicated social workers.
Earlier this year, support for care leavers in the East Riding was rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, who praised the work of the Pathway team for working tireless to ensure that young people have the best possible advice, support and help.
The judges in the awards hailed the Pathway team as ‘a shining example’ and were impressed with endorsements from the young people the team has supported, who described staff as ‘loyal, dedicated, hardworking and always there when needed.’
Pathway team manager Sue Smyth, said:
“The whole team are delighted at this recognition of their work. This annual national event is a real celebration of social work practice, and it is good to be able to recognise the hard work and dedication of everyone in the team.
“It is also a recognition of the care leavers we work with – as they are a real source of inspiration in so many ways.”
Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and education, said:
“I am very proud that the team has won this national award. It recognises the excellent work that the team does in ensuring that young people leaving care have a positive career or education path and also suitable accommodation.
“The fact that we currently have nine care leavers in higher education is testament to the work that the team does in building on the educational experience afforded these young people by our schools.”
Pam Allen, the council’s head of children and young people, support and safeguarding services, said:
“We are immensely proud of this team and their successful outcomes for our young people.
“The team don’t shout about their positive work, only the great achievements of the young people, and it is good to see them recognised in this way.
“As corporate parents, we want our care leavers to experience the very best support and to understand how their wellbeing is of great importance to those of us with these key responsibilities.
“The Pathway team constantly goes the extra mile wherever and whenever it is needed, celebrating the day to day success of their young people on a regular basis.”
