A Northumberland social worker has been shortlisted for the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2024.  

 

David Heaton, who is a social worker in west Northumberland, has been shortlisted for the Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year Award. 

 

The Social Worker of the Year Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of practitioners and teams up and down the country. 

 

Northumberland County Councillor Wendy Pattison, Portfolio Holder for Caring for Adults, said: “Social workers play a vital role in helping people to transform their lives. 

 

“In the year since David joined Northumberland Adult Social Care, he has already made a positive impact in the lives of people he supports.  

 

“I am delighted to see his dedication and professionalism has been recognised nationally, and I would like to wish him the very best of luck in November.” 

 

The finalists were chosen by panels of independent judges including previous award winners, social workers, industry leaders and people with lived experience of social work. 

 

All those who have been shortlisted are being recognised for their extraordinary practice and will find out if they have won the Award in their category at a special event this November in London. 

 

Peter Hay CBE, Chair of the Social Work Awards, said: “This year we received hundreds of entries which goes to show how passionate organisations and individuals are to shine a light on the inspirational achievements of an often-overlooked profession.  

 

“We would like to thank all those who took the time to nominate a friend, colleague, or team for an award this year. To our finalists, we’d like to say congratulations! Being nominated for a national award, whilst supporting others during very challenging times in a year of big changes, is a remarkable achievement of which you should be very proud.”