Lyn being presented with her certificate by Service Director, Emma Smith

Our latest award winner has been selected as Lyn O’Brien from Doncaster Council!

Lyn was nominated for her exceptional, relationship-based practice. She played a key role in a successful family reunification, uses creative, personalised approaches especially effective with neurodivergent children, and received strong praise from families, carers and colleagues alike. She's consistently described as approachable, compassionate and child-centred, going above and beyond to protect children's dignity and secure positive outcomes. Well done, Lyn!

Here’s the lovely feedback from our judges on their decision:

Lyn O Brien is our social worker of the month. We supported Lyn's nomination because her practice reflected to us the difference social work can make to the lives of children and their families. She builds strong, trusting relationships and keeps the child's experience at the centre of her work. What stood out was not only the positive outcomes Lyn has helped children achieve, but how she has achieved them. She is thoughtful, persistent and creative in adapting her approach to individual children, including those with additional and complex needs. She combines warmth and compassion with strong safeguarding practice, professional curiosity and effective partnership working.

The examples shared in the nomination showed the difference Lyn's practice has made to children's everyday lives. Feedback from families, carers and professionals also consistently reflected the quality of her relationships and practice. For us, Lyn was the social worker of the month due to her consistent skilled, child-centred and relationship-based social work, alongside her passion and commitment to making a meaningful difference for children and families.

Judges: Matthew Boud, Service Director Child Social Care and Louise Danks, Principal Social Worker, Barnsley Council

The CSWM Awards are our monthly award which celebrates social workers who go above and beyond. Each of our partner local authorities and adoption agencies can make one nomination per month. The winner is picked by our guest judges - senior colleagues from different local authorities.