Professional Social Work • November 2011 16 Two social workers with a combined seven decades of experience in practice were among the big winners at the BASW Cymru Social Work Awards 2011. Patricia Griffiths was presented with the Practice Teacher Award forher work in hospital and community-based practice over a 35-year career, while Karen Phillips picked up the Spirit of Social WorkAward for her 37 years supporting disabled adults. Aled Roberts, a Liberal Democrat memberof the Welsh Assembly, praised Ms Phillips’ “tireless dedication” in her work for Wrexham Borough Council and in the widercommunity. Patricia Griffiths received heraward from another Assembly member, Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru, who thanked her “for the often unrecognised work you do throughout the community”. Samantha Francis, a specialist in autism and familyrelations therapy, won the Innovative Practice Award, presented by Julie Morgan, a LabourAM. In addition to her work with Newport County Council, Samantha works with parents as part of a National Autistic Society initiative, help! 2, offering practical support to make family life more manageable when dealing with challenging behaviour. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to a youth justice social worker and formerBASW Cymru chair, Nick Lovell, who has also worked hard to highlight concerns over the support on offer to overseas trained social workers. The social workers received the awards at a ceremony held in the Senedd in Cardiff on 28 September. Keith Drury, BASW Cymru chairsaid: “Social workers have for so long been misrepresented by the media, who only everseem interested in isolated examples of bad practice. The people honoured this evening are representative of the enormous amount of excellent work that is carried out everyday.” Mark Drakefor d, another Labour A M, introduced the ceremony and emphasised the purpose of awards in recognising unsung workers. “For every person here this evening, it is important to remember that there are social workers across Wales whose dailywork goes unremarked and unrewarded. We welcome these awards and the ongoing input of BASW into the Social Care Bill – yourinfluence is increasingly felt in discussions and debates and we hope that this continues.” The Awards were concluded by BASW Cymru manager Robin Moulster who looked forward to “even bigger and better” awards next year and highlighted the Association’s record membership levels in Wales. L-R: Samantha Francis, Nick Lovell, Patricia Grififths, K aren Philips BASW Cymru Awards 2011 Wales celebrates social work success p016-017 - PSW Nov 11_P SW_templates 21/10/2011 14:26 Page 16
