Our children's services achievements
Our children’s services team is committed to providing a great service to children and families. This is recognised in our Ofsted 2022 inspection where the service was judged Good in all areas.
We’ve won and been shortlisted for multiple awards within our sector.
These include:
- Kirstie Baughan finalist in the PPMA Awards – to be announced 27 April
- Finalist at the LGC Awards 2022 for public partnership – Pan-Bedfordshire Family Drug and Alcohol programme
- Winner at the Social Worker of the Year awards 2022 for Social Worker of the Year
- Winner at the Social Worker of the Year awards 2022 for Social Justice Advocate
- Winner at the National Children and Young People award in 2022
Our Young Carers Service won the Children’s Champion Award, recognising their significant impact in championing the needs and rights of vulnerable children, and bringing partners together to put vulnerable children at the heart of what we do.
The judges said:
The passion of this team really shone through. They go above and beyond to provide care and support to not only the young carers the service is supporting but also their families and friends.
Our Early Help Service was highly commended in the Safeguarding of Children Award. The award recognises the importance of keeping children and young people within their families where possible, but also putting the child’s needs first and making the right decisions in challenging situations.
The judges remarked:
The team demonstrates an innovative approach to working with children and families to support them to maintain safety and thrive. The strength and passion of the team working shone through and their commitment to the children and young people they support was so incredibly clear for all to see. Their early interventions make a real impact and help prevent escalations in need.
Further demonstrating our dedication to the children in Central Bedfordshire, a further 4 people were shortlisted for awards. Elaine Carr was shortlisted for the Leaving Care Award, and Wellington Gubwe, Desiree Galeshewa and Karen Sutton were all shortlisted for the Children and Families Social Worker Award.
Ian Smith, Assistant Director of Safeguarding and Early Help, said:
I’m so pleased that the dedication of our staff has been recognised by our peers in the wider children’s care community. The Young Carers team really deserve their win, by making sure the carers they support are at the heart of their work. Congratulations also to the Early Help Service for their hard work, and to everyone who was shortlisted. These are well deserved nominations and highlight the dedication of our teams within Children’s Services.
To find out more and see a list of all winners, visit the Children and Young People’s Awards website.
