WILTSHIRE Council social workers have won the Safeguarding of Children Award at the prestigious National Children and Young People’s Awards, this week.

Charlene Handyside and Lydia Campbell represented the support and safeguarding team south and picked up the Safeguarding of Children Award in recognition of their hard work with families.

Kate Farrar also was commended for her work with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in the Children’s Champion Award section. Pier Pritchard was nominated for her long service to social work and Kelly Hogan for her child protection work.

Cabinet member for children’s services and deputy leader of the council Laura Mayes said: “Congratulations to the support and safeguarding team south for their safeguarding award; to Kate for her commended award and to Pier and Kelly for their nominations – this is very well deserved.

“It is really heartening to have this national recognition for the amazing work they do, but it is also recognition to all our social workers who make a real difference to the lives of our children and families in Wiltshire every single day.”

The National Children and Young People’s Awards aims to improve public awareness and understanding of social work by showing the positive impact of social workers in the wide range of roles they undertake.