A SOCIAL worker has been shortlisted for a prestigious award by her peers.

Anna Hill, who has worked for Wiltshire Council for 19 years, is a finalist in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2023.

She has been shortlisted in the Children’s Social Worker of the Year category.

The national awards attract hundreds of entries each year, with many positive stories of outstanding social work, creative and compassionate practitioners and outstanding practice.

The finalists have been chosen by an independent panel of judges, comprising of social workers, sector leaders and people with lived experience of services, including young care leavers.

Anna was nominated for the award by her peers, who highlighted how she always puts the children that she works for first, is proactive and builds long-lasting meaningful relationships with the children and families that she works with.

Last November, Anna, while acting as the duty social worker, visited a child whose Christmas wish was to see his siblings whom he had not seen for more than 12 months.

Anna worked hard to make this wish come true and reunite the siblings.

“I love my job, I love that no two days are the same, I love that I get to meet so many people from different walks of life,” she said.

“I learn new things all of the time from the children and families I work with as well as my colleagues. I try and make sure that having a social worker does not feel like a chore for people.

“I strive to try and make things better, sometimes this works, sometimes it does not but I make sure I am able to say I tried my absolute best.

“This job is never dull, I never watch the clock for home time, quite the opposite, there are not enough hours in the day.

“This job makes me smile, laugh and occasionally cry but it always feels worthwhile.”

Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services at the council, said: “I want to say a huge congratulations to Anna, who lives and breathes social work. Not only is she passionate about her work, she truly enjoys it. Being shortlisted for this award is a huge testament to her dedication and character.

“Anna is one of the most experienced social workers in the team, acting as a role model to others and sitting on our fostering panel to provide expert advice to her colleagues. She also delivers training to other social workers and keyworkers to aid them in their development.

“She is an asset to the council and I would like to wish her the best of luck at the awards ceremony in November.”

The Social Worker of the Year Awards ceremony takes place in November, in London. For more details, log on to https://www.socialworkawards.com.
More about children’s services in Wiltshire can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/children-young-people.