by Daniel Lombard
It was Saturday night in Bedford, and the room was filled with gyrating bodies dressed in dinner jackets and dresses. My first taste of the Social Worker of the Year awards, and as the guests let their hair down to put talk about low morale in social work behind them, the mood of celebration was tangible.
But not everyone was happy.
"I can't believe I'm here and missing the X Factor!!" said one lady who had travelled with colleagues from an adult social work team in the North East.
This followed an earlier announcement by Tim Loughton MP, one of the after-dinner speakers, that "Zoe and James have been voted off Strictly Come Dancing".
What was going on? Social workers had spent the whole year complaining about the lack of recognition for their hard work, then when someone organised an event to address that, everyone seemed more concerned about missing their favourite telly programmes!
After all, numerous reports and initiatives had highlighted the constant criticism and lack of recognition for the achievements in communities across the country which go unreported, not least Community Care's Stand Up Now for Social Work campaign.
Loughton, the shadow children's minister, provided a big laugh in his speech with the following self-deprecating analysis: "Social workers, along with MPs and bankers, are probably the three most under-fire professions in the country at the moment.
"I've worked in a bank, I am an MP, and I work with social workers, so I understand what you're going through."
Earlier Anthony Douglas, chief executive of Cafcass, reminded us of the humble origins of social work, which dated back to 18th century England and the time of Thomas Coram, in a personal and enlightening speech. He recalled his steep learning curve as a newly qualified social worker entering the profession 35 years ago, in the days when people with learning disabilities were routinely called "spastics", stressing how far the profession had come in treating people as individuals.
Dee Jethwa, the winner of this year's award, is definitely doing her bit to raise standards in child protection. I enjoyed interviewing her and listening to her personal philosophy of integrating Hindu principles of truth, integrity, and sharing of knowledge into her work as a trainer with the NSPCC and others.
Douglas and Loughton looked the part in dinner jackets along with Beverley Williams, a children's social worker from Milton Keynes and the event's main organiser, who buys a new dress each year. (They certainly put me to shame in my jeans and shirt, but then what do you expect from a journalist?!)
Beverley is looking to expand the event with more sponsors, possibly including the Department of Health, which is considering launching a national award.
Judging by the energetic atmosphere of this event, it's definitely something social workers are crying out for. But then again, it depends what's on TV that night for some people...
I'd love to have a night out if someone paid me to get there.
Whether I'd stay awake through the likes of Tim [a really nice guy who got up at the crack of dawn to see what I do at my school] or the other speakers is debatable as I'm a Lark.
But it would be nice to have an excuse to dress in a posh frock
Dream on Rach
Maybe Tanya Byron who told me that I was a revolutionary will invite me to something free one day but who knows what is around the corner
Anyhow for now I'll dream and jump at any opportunities offered to me and the X factor
Nah it's pretty near the bottom of my pile prefer living in the fantasy world of Home and Away where whatever you are like you are accepted and become part of a supportive community.
Interesting article. However, I don’t really think the emphasis about what people were missing on TV was relevant or necessary. I have attended the Social Worker Awards for the last 2 years and I won an award last year. I think it is great event and really motivating.
Beverley Williams, who organises the event is amazing. She is truly in touch with social work and is proud of the work that each and every practitioner takes part in. Beverley should be funded by the DoH, not taken over!! This event is successful and is already off the ground. The DoH could be instrumental in funding and advertising the event. A big organisation like that should support the likes of Beverley and let her light shine for the true angel that she is!!!
The Social Work Awards in Bedford is a great night to be had by all!! What your article neglected to mention is that it celebrates the hard work of practitioners; that any practitioner can be nominated by colleagues, friends or family, who are then short listed and could be chosen to accept an award!!
It is a black tie event and a chance to dress up and feel fabulous. There is a professional photographer to capture the night. There is a 3 course dinner, followed by the awards. After the awards there is a dance until around 3am – which is more like a party!!. Most of the guests stay at the hotel as the rooms are discounted for this event and you wake up to a full English breakfast. It is a great overnight event where you really get a chance to feel valued and appreciated for all the hard work you do. There is even spa treatments on site for that real pampering feeling!!
Spread the word.. because next year will be even bigger and better. Visit the website for more details on: www.socialworkersawards.org
Well done Beverley!!
Wendy Roberts 24/11/09