For the second year running, children and young people supported by Somerset Children’s Social Care can say a big thank you to the staff who make a difference to them.

The council is urging any child or young person who wants to see their key worker recognised for going the extra mile to come forward and say why by filling in a nomination form – www.somerset.gov.uk/childrens-worker-award

Somerset County Council’s annual Staff Awards will take place in January 2017. The Children and Young Person’s Worker Award is unique because it is the only award that allows children and young people to say thank you to the people who make such a difference.

Last year, the council received over 60 nominations and Gregg Liddington and Linda Ettey were presented with the awards for Social Worker of the Year and Leaving Care Worker of the Year. This year, the award is open to anyone who works with children and young people in care, for example social workers, leaving care workers, independent reviewing officers or residential officers.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Last year we were really pleased to receive so many heart-warming nominations from children who wanted to show just how much they appreciate the support of their worker. Working in Children’s Social Care can be a challenge, but we want staff to know they are valued both by their employer and also by the children and young people they work with.”

Cllr Anna Groskop, Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Human Resources and Organisational Development, said: “We want to ensure that staff at all levels of the County Council are recognised and celebrated for their outstanding contributions. The Staff Awards Scheme is an opportunity to formally thank them for their hard work. It also gives colleagues the opportunity to share examples of excellence and celebrate together.”

Last year’s winners, Linda Ettey, a Leaving Care Worker, and Gregg Liddington, a Social Worker, both said how much it meant to them that the young people they work with had nominated them.

Linda said: “We don’t always get a lot of recognition from the young people we work with which is fine because they don’t need to be grateful at all, but it is nice to be recognised. It does mean so much coming from the young people; a lot of them don’t like filling in forms so they have gone that extra mile to do that.”

Gregg added: “You deal with long nights, challenging parents, difficult children and you know that you are dealing with people who have a lot of trauma, upset and anger in their lives. So to receive something back from that, it is amazing to hear what an effect you have on people.”

If a child or young person would like to nominate their social worker, leaving care worker, independent reviewing officer or residential officer they can do so by visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/childrens-worker-award

Or to ask for a paper copy of the nomination form please phone 01823 358119 or e-mail staffawards@somerset.gov.uk