The latest silverware came when two local social workers received recognition for excellence in their respective fields. Laura Arthur (pictured front centre) won the Leadership Award at the Scottish Social Services Awards and Megan Cassidy (pictured second row, right) was a finalist in the Bright Spark in Social Work category. The success closely follows a win at the Scottish Health Awards; SLHSCP’s Home First programme taking Integrated Care Award, and the Blantyre development coming out on top of the Excellence in Health and Wellbeing category at the Chartered Institute of Housing Excellence Awards 2022.

Representatives of all of the projects were present and formally recognised at last week’s South Lanarkshire Social Work Resources Committee, where they received warm congratulations from all members.

Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire (pictured centre), led the note of thanks and recognition. He said: “Our health and care services, our partners, our staff continue to face challenges like never before. “Facing those challenges and doing the best we can by local people and communities relies on our staff collaborating, innovating and having drive.”

Mr Sengupta added: “These accolades are concrete evidence of outstanding achievement and exemplary professionalism spanning across our diverse services. That is a source of renewed confidence – and bodes well – for whatever twists and turns we have to collectively negotiate in the road ahead.“I’m exceptionally proud and privileged to work with outstanding staff and extend my sincere thanks to them – and all our teams and services –  who continue to work extremely hard for the people of South Lanarkshire.”

Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of the Social Work Resources Committee (pictured top left) echoed the sentiment. She said: “As Chair, I regularly bear witness and hear about the exemplary work of our staff and partners first hand. These national awards are a reflection of the compassion and professionalism of our local teams. They also highlight the rigour, innovation and commitment our Health and Social Care Partnership is bringing to addressing well publicised challenges being encountered across the nation.”

Treble award fact file: 

Win 1: Laura Arthur won ‘Leadership Award’ category in this year’s Scottish Social Services Awards. Laura has been a social worker for 15 years, in a management role for the past seven and the last four as a senior manager in adult services. Laura is a true inspiration and seeks to bring out the best in others.

Megan Cassidy was a finalist in the ‘Bright Spark in Social Work’. Megan is a young and innovative social worker who qualified in 2020. She started off working from home during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, a difficult and challenging experience for any social worker, especially a newly qualified one.

For more info visit: https://www.southlanarkshireview.scot/news/article/1625/awards_recognise_commitment_and_dedication_of_staff

Win 2:  SLHSCP’s Home First programme won the Integrated Care Award at the highly competitive Scottish Health Awards. The approach has seen a network of teams, professions and work steams - spanning the health and social care system -drive towards high quality, co-ordinated care that is person-centred, safe and effective. Home First is a key element of our local response to ongoing pressures.

For more info visit: https://www.slhscp.org.uk/news/article/226/goldilocks_approach_secret_ingredient_of_partnership_s_national_success

Win 3: At the Chartered Institute of Housing Excellence Awards 2022, the technology-enabled housing within the Blantyre development won the award for Excellence in Health and Wellbeing. Our development in Blantyre has been driven by a strong vision for the positive impact that new models of care and new technologies can make to improving people’s everyday lives. This Award recognises the exceptional level of commitment demonstrated by our teams and our partners throughout the pandemic in delivering this ambitious project.

For more info visit:  https://www.slhscp.org.uk/news/article/223/national_award_for_housing_and_care_development

Picture shows Laura Arthur, pictured front centre, who won the Leadership Award at the Scottish Social Services Award. Laura is flanked by Evelyn Devlin Service Manager, Transitions, (left) representing the team who triumphed for the technology-enabled housing within the Blantyre development and The Lanarkshire Care Home Wellbeing Group. Andrea Tallis, Fieldwork Manager Adult & Older People Services (right) represented Home First. The treble as formally recognised by members South Lanarkshire Social Work Resources Committee.