At the awards ceremony held in London, Elizabeth Badu won the ‘Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year’ award and Holly Shreeves won the ‘Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker of the Year’ award.

Photo caption: Elizabeth Badu (second from left) at the awards ceremony

Both Elizabeth and Holly worked for us in support roles before training to become social workers. Elizabeth joined us in 2016, working in various roles in children’s services until qualifying as a social worker in November 2023. Holly joined us in 2020 and carried out a number of placements within children’s services, then began her journey to become a social worker in March 2023.

Established in 2006, the Social Worker of the Year Awards are designed to celebrate the outstanding achievements of practitioners and teams up and down the country. The finalists at the 2024 awards were chosen by panels of independent judges including previous award winners, social workers, industry leaders and people with lived experience of social work.

Photo caption: Holly Shreeves (third from left) at the awards ceremony

Councillor Steve Owen, our Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:

The recognition at the Social Worker of the Year Awards highlights the incredible talent and commitment of our newly qualified social workers. Their hard work and dedication have a real impact on the lives of children and families across Central Bedfordshire, and we’re proud of the contributions they are making to our community.

Councillor Mark Smith, our Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said:

We are thrilled to our social workers recognised on the national stage. These awards showcase the dedication and high standards that our newly qualified social workers bring to their roles, making a positive difference in the lives of our residents. It’s a proud moment that reflects the strength and commitment of our entire social care team.