Newly Qualified Adult

Social Worker of the Year

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This award is open to all newly qualified social workers in England who can demonstrate how they haveapplied their theoretical knowledge to day-to-day practiceworking with adults.

He or she will be able to demonstrate they manage complex caseloads successfully.

This pack contains all the information you need to submit an entry for the

Newly QualifiedAdult Social Worker of the Year category

Entries must be submitted via email only to

Closing date: no later than 17:00 on Friday 21st July 2017

  1. This Award is open to newly qualified social workers (less than one year’s experience) currently working in Englandwho have can demonstrate how they are applying theoretical knowledge to daily practice when working with adults. Nominees must be able to demonstrate how they have successfully managed complex caseloads.
  1. This category is open to newly qualified social workers and independent workers involved in adult social work including learning disabilities, mental health, older people support, physical disabilities and probation work.
  1. Nominees must be fully qualified and registered with the HCPC. Nominees must be working a minimum of 816 hours per year direct with adults (this will be a minimum 17 hours per week, 48 weeks per year).
  1. Please complete your entry using this application form only. A separate form must be completed for each entry submitted.
  1. Nominees may enter themselves into individual categories or they may be nominated by a third party who must include their contact details.
  1. Entries must be submitted by email only to
  2. Closing date: no later than 17.00 on Friday 21st July 2017
  3. Please mark your email Social Worker of the Year Awards –Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year
  4. Eligibility – these awards are only open to registered social workers and social work teams working in England.
  5. Please submit your entry as a word document using this application form only.
  6. Please adhere to the word limits indicated in each section.
  7. Completing the ‘Endorsement’ section with testimonials from line managers and service users is essential.

8.You are welcome to submit support documents with your entry, however, we ask that you submit no more than one additional document, with a maximum of four pages, at a maximum file size of 2 MB. Supporting documents that exceed these guidelines will not be accepted. Supporting material is purely for illustration purposes and will not be judged.

If you have any further questions regarding the Social Worker of the Year Awards or your entry, please contact Annabelle Rennie, Awards Co-ordinator, on 01473 326404 or email

Name of nominee:
HCPCregistration number:
Employer name (locum workers should state where they are currently working):
Does this person know he/she is being nominated?
Primary contact information (if different from nominee)
Primary contact name:
Primary contact position:
Primary contact email:
Primary contact phone:
Nominee contact information
Nominee position:
Nominee email address:
Nominee phone number:
Endorser contact information
Name of endorser:
Endorser position:
Endorser email address:
Endorser phone number:
Press office contact information
Press office/media contact
Press office/media email
Press office/media phone
Twitter handle (if relevant)
Provide a brief summary of the nominee, including their general line of work and key achievements. Please add details of any particular casework which will help put the nomination in context.
THE WORD LIMIT FOR THIS SECTION IS 500 WORDS
The description sets the scene for judges and gives them an overall picture of the entry
The description sets the scene for judges and gives them an overall picture of the entry. Should the entry be awarded the Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year award, it will form the basis of a written case study that will be used by Social Worker of the Year Awards as an example of good practice.
Provide a summary of achievements and any key success points. It is essential the nominee can demonstrate how they have successfully made an impact on adults they worked with and how they handled complex caseloads. Emphasise any aspects that you consider to be particularly innovative or compelling.
Judges will be looking for evidence of how social workers are applying the core areas of practice identified in the Professional Capabilities Framework, which was developed by the Social Work Reform Board. A full list of the capabilities can be found here -
Please provide evidence of how you have met the Professional Capabilities Framework
Use the headings below as guidelines for writing the summary.
  • Leadership and purpose – How has the nominee applied what they’ve learnt in their studies to day-to-practice? How they have used supervision to reflect on their cases and improve practice?
  • Challenges and obstacles – has the nominee overcome any specific challenges or obstacles which have had a significant impact on the case?
  • Resources – How the nominee has successfully managed a series of complex caseloads
THE WORD LIMIT FOR THIS SECTION IS 500 WORDS
This will enable the judges to evaluatethe impact on the service user
Describe the positive impact the nominee’s work has had on adults. Provide any evidence to show how objectives have been achieved. Include all aspects relevant to the nature of the project using the following headings:
  • Service user benefits – describe the positive impact on the service user(s).
  • Personal benefits –has there been any learning and personal development gained from the case(s) and any other additional benefits to the nominee? What training and development opportunities have you achieved? How have you applied theoretical perspectives to your daily work?
THE WORD LIMIT FOR THIS SECTION IS 500 WORDS
The entry must be endorsed by the nominee’s line manager or a member of the management team where the nominee is working.
Please give a description why this nominee should be named the winner.
Endorsements from recruitment agencies are not accepted.
The inclusion of evidence from service users to support the impact of the work undertaken by the nominee is highly recommended.
This can be in the form of a testimonial or evidence provided by routine work satisfaction surveys/questionnaires.
PLEASE LIMIT THIS SECTION TO NO MORE THAN THREE PAGES
  • Closing date for receipt of entries to this award: 17.00 on Friday 21ST July 2017
  • Please note entries will NOT be accepted after this date.
  • Judging of entries will take place during September 2017. The shortlist will be announced afterwards.
  • Winners will be announced at the Social Worker of the Year Awards on Friday 24th November 2017.