A CARING social worker from Springhead has been selected as a finalist in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2015 as a result of her outstanding work with children.
Stephanie Mills, 26, only began working for Rochdale Borough Council in September 2014 after gaining a Masters in Social Work from Salford University.
Now, she has been nominated for the Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker of the Year prize by her impressed practice manager Nick Whitbread.
Stephanie is one of 68 finalists across 15 categories and the winners will be announced at an exclusive awards ceremony in London at the end of November.
The winners from each category will also compete to be named the ‘Overall Social Worker of the Year 2015’.
Stephanie said: “I am very pleased and honoured to be shortlisted.
“I didn’t expect to be nominated as to me I am not doing anything more than my job. But it was a lovely surprise and it’s nice to think people appreciate what I do.
“I love working with the children and building up long-term relationships and really getting to know them over time and seeing them develop.”
Stephanie studied psychology at the University of York before completing her Masters in Social Work at Salford University.
During the course she worked part-time as a community support worker with adults and also volunteered with the youth offending team in Oldham to gain more experience.
The awards are the leading celebration of their kind in the social care sector, and recognise the achievements of the profession’s most innovative and dedicated social workers.
Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Stephanie is one of our unsung heroes.
“Along with her colleagues, she works tirelessly to make sure our most vulnerable residents are kept safe.
“She thoroughly deserves her nomination and we all have our fingers crossed for the ceremony.”
The awards are judged by leading influencers including the Chief Social Workers Isabelle Trowler and Lyn Romeo and Maris Stratulis, England Manager, British Association of Social Workers.
They are supported by headline sponsor Sanctuary Social Care and individual category supporters, UNISON, NSPCC, Core Assets, iMPOWER, Local Government Association, ECL: The Care & Wellbeing Company, Barnardo’s, Kent County Council, Hampshire County Council and Devon County Council.
For more information about the Social Worker of the Year Awards visit: www.socialworkawards.com
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