The Social Worker of the Year Awards 2016 shortlist has been announced and the winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony in November.

We are delighted to announce that we have seven alumni and current students amongst those shortlisted this year, including MA Social Work student Anabelle Stock who is shortlisted for ‘Student Social Worker of the Year,’ a category that was won by a University of Birmingham student last year.

Over the last few years our alumni and students have demonstrated the strength of our Social Work programme by taking home multiple awards, including the 2013 ‘Children’s Social Worker of the Year’ award which was won by Alumna of the Year Amanda Beaufoy.

Several of the past winners are volunteering to be alumni mentors on a new mentoring scheme launching this year for Social Work final year UG and PG students.

There are fifteen categories in total across the specialisms of both children’s and adult services, including an ‘Overall Social Worker of the Year’ award.

The Social Worker of the Year Awards are supported by both the Department for Education and Department of Health.

One of the highlights of the Social Worker of the Year Awards is the Parliamentary Reception, held at the House of Commons. It is at this exclusive event that the awards are officially launched for the year ahead by representatives from the Department of Health and Department for Education. The Gold award winners from the previous year and event sponsors are also invited to be part of the celebration.

We will be sure to follow up with news of the winners and runners up following the Awards Ceremony in November.