Care-experienced celebrity chef to present social work awards ceremony

A celebrity chef who spent part of her early life living between foster carers and adopters will host the Social Worker of the Year Awards.

Lorraine Pascale, a TV host on the Food Network and a government fostering ambassador who made the 2014 documentary ‘Fostering and me’, will host the event on November 24 in London.

Pascale has also been appointed as a patron of the awards’ charity, and will present awards to social workers in 16 categories across adults’, children’s and mental health services.

Pascale said: “This cause is extremely close to my heart and I know from personal experience how critical and important the work that social workers do is. I am delighted to become a patron for the charity and I look forward to meeting all the finalists at the ceremony.”

Peter Hay, chair of the awards, said Pascale was a “perfect champion for all that the awards stand for”.

“We’re thrilled that she has chosen to support the charity, which gives dedicated, committed and passionate social workers the recognition they deserve.”

Community Care is the media partner of the Social Worker of the Year Awards. You can read the full list of nominees here.