L-R: Carly Jarvis - Personal Advisor, Wendy Binns - Team Manager, Lisa Arnull - Team Manager, Leanne Steeple - Personal Advisor, Joanne Mahoney - Personal Advisor, Matthew Boud – Service Director, Ella Barton - Head of Service, Louise Danks – Principal Social Worker

The winner of our next Socal Work Team award has been announced as the Future Directions Team from Barnsley!

Our panel of judges reviewed all submissions and were unanimous with their nomination. The judging panel for this month’s award comprised of:
Louise Ambler, Principal Social Worker, Calderdale
Tim Nicholson, Principal Social Worker, Doncaster

They provided the following rationale for the winning team:

"Barnsley Council’s nomination stood out as the clear winner for the exceptional impact their Future Directions Team it is having on some of their most vulnerable young people as they approach adulthood. The nomination powerfully evidences positive outcomes through a genuinely relationship-based, child-centred approach, with the voices of young people woven throughout. In particular, the comment, 'My PA is my family, he is like my dad,' speaks volumes about the trust, stability, belonging and care being provided.

The early introduction of Pathway Advisors from age 16 creates a strong foundation for lasting relationships, while the Hub offers holistic emotional, practical and financial support. Together, these elements provide young people with a safe and secure base from which they can confidently take their next steps towards independence and their future aspirations. This nomination exemplifies Barnsley’s commitment ‘to do for children what we would want for our own’, and represents the very best of restorative, compassionate and impactful social care practice."

Team manager, Wendy Binns, on finding out the team had won the award said:

“What a team we all are, super proud of what we have achieved and continue to do”

And Matthew Boud, Service Director, gave his praise for the team:

“Every day I see the passion, commitment, creativity and above all care that the Future Directions team bring to their work with care leavers.  I am incredibly proud that the team’s dedication and achievements have been recognised through this award.”

Well done to the team!