Young Carers team wins silver at Social Worker of the Year Awards
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Our Young Carers team have been recognised nationally for their dedication and excellence in supporting children and families.
At the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025, held in Manchester and attended by almost 400 people, the team received the Silver Award for ‘Team of the Year, Children’s Services’. The award celebrates their exceptional work supporting young people who care for family members.
The team provides practical and emotional support to young carers. They help children and young people balance their caring responsibilities with school, friendships, and their own wellbeing. Support includes:
- peer support groups
- fun respite activities
- one-to-one guidance
- advocacy
These services help young carers feel seen, supported, and able to thrive.
The team currently supports around 1,200 young carers across Central Bedfordshire. These carers are aged between 5 and 17 years old. As well as monthly groups where young carers can meet others and take time away from their caring responsibilities, the team runs activities during school holidays — such as summer and half-term breaks — and offers tailored support and resources.
Following a 2025 Ofsted inspection, inspectors said our service for young carers was “well developed” and that “services are responsive to the needs of young people.”
Councillor Steve Owen, our Executive Member for Children and Families, said:
We’re incredibly proud of our Young Carers Team and the well-deserved recognition they’ve received. Their compassion, creativity, and unwavering support make a real difference to the lives of young carers every day. This award is a testament to their hard work and the positive impact they have on children and families in our community.
The Social Worker of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements of social workers across England. Finalists are chosen by independent judging panels, including previous award winners, social work leaders, and people with lived experience of social care.