Wandsworth Council wins Supportive Social Work Employer Award

All six organisations nominated in this category stood out to judges for their commitment to supporting, leading, and championing their social work employees, and we, as a Council, shone above all for creating an empowering, collaborative, and innovative environment that supports our workforce to thrive.

The Social Worker of the Year Awards is the premier national event celebrating excellence in social work across England. Each year, it draws hundreds of inspiring entries and reaches millions, spotlighting uplifting stories of exceptional social workers, their creativity, compassion, and remarkable practice.

At Wandsworth, alongside children’s social workers, we proudly employ more than 25 multi-disciplinary practitioners, including domestic abuse specialists, parental substance misuse, mental health practitioners, clinical psychologists, and family therapists. Alongside them family support practitioners, youth workers, early years practitioners, family connectors enable timely delivery of support, help and interventions to families when they need it most.

Cabinet Member for Children, Kate Stock, spoke proudly of this award:" Our dedicated workforce is our greatest strength, enabling us to provide exceptional support to Wandsworth's children and families”.

“As a Council, we've are committed to creating an environment where social workers can excel. With integrated multi-disciplinary teams, a focus on systemic and strengths-based approach in our work with families our social workers are committed to supporting our communities’.

“We're proud of the positive feedback from our staff and the heartfelt responses from the children and families we serve."

Stephen O’Reilly, Specialist Practitioner, reflected on his journey into the role and the support he received along the way:

“I joined Wandsworth as a temporary worker during Covid, and after 12 months I became permanent. This role is unique and not one I have seen in other local authorities. It provided me with the opportunity to develop new skills such as strategic thinking, mentorship and leadership.

“There is a strong sense of collaboration between social workers and families, and it has been my experience that all levels of the organisation are committed to thinking about how we can create unique and best outcomes for children.

“Wandsworth has allowed me to be creative and dynamic in my support of families which I genuinely feel has allowed for families to thrive with my support.”

Judges on the panel of the Social Worker of the Year Awards said: “The Council has prioritised career development by establishing a pathway that offers social workers the opportunity to progress through senior, advanced and specialist roles.”

This award reinforces Wandsworth Council’s dedication to excellence in delivering social care, ensuring that children and families receive the highest quality support through a well-supported, skilled, and compassionate workforce.

If you're interested in becoming a Social Care Worker for Wandsworth Council, check our Children's Social Care jobs - Wandsworth Borough Council