Matthew Boud, Service Director – Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding, Barnsley Council and Hannah O'Brien, Social Worker, Barnsley Council

Our next CSWM Award winner for the month of November has been announced! Our judging panel from York met to consider the monthly nominations from across the region, and selected Barnsley's Hannah O'Brien for her impact in her role.

"It was really hard to choose with so many fantastic nominations, however Hannah stood out given the impact she has had on the young persons life. The feedback from the young man himself is evidence of this and we can see how hard Hannah has worked to improve his future.  To hear the strength of the risk assessment whilst manging the need to maintain relationships with the family and young person himself was great.  This is a job well done and in hearing from mum the reflection Hannah has enabled is fantastic. Hannah is clearly a credit to her local authority, but most importantly to the profession. Well done Hannah!!"

Judges: Danielle Johnson,Assistnat Director and Bethany Hudson, Principal Social Worker at York Council

Hannah's nomination was further endorsed by some of the young people she had supported:

“got mad respect for you for everything you’ve done for me; I don’t know how to thank you”.

"Hannah helped me recognise how bad things had got and helped me to get back on track to do what I needed to do"

Upon receiving her award, Hannah touched on her experience working with one of the young people who had thanked her in her nomination:

"Being part of this young person's journey cemented why I do this job. He has taught me so much and I am proud to have been part of his journey and part of Barnsley"

The CSWM Awards are our monthly award which celebrates social workers who go above and beyond. Each of our partner local authorities and adoption agencies can make one nomination per month. The winner is picked by our guest judges - senior colleagues from different local authorities.