175 of the Northern Ireland’s social workers have been recognised at the 2025 Professional in Practice (PiP) Awards ceremony this week at the Lisburn Civic Centre.
The Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s (the Social Care Council’s) PiP award ceremony celebrates the achievements of inspiring social workers, and their commitment to improving professional practice through learning and development.
Always a popular event, the Social Care Council were privileged to be welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Alderman Hazel Legge. The event included a special show of support for the charity Action Cancer, the chosen charity of the Mayor. Alderman Legge congratulated all of those receiving awards at the ceremony and thanked social workers for being ‘Community Heroes’, supporting individuals, families and communities to strengthen their sense of belonging.
The theme for this year’s ceremony was ‘belonging in social work’. Speakers at the event reflected on the connection between ‘belonging’, professional identity and the role of social workers in fostering a sense of belonging with service users, carers and communities through their direct practice.
Opening the ceremony, Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, said:
“I would like to congratulate all of our social workers who have achieved a Professional in Practice Award. We know the hard work that goes into achieving these awards and we know that you couldn’t do it without the support of your family and friends, colleagues and managers. Our thanks go to all of them for supporting you on your journey’.
“Their dedication and commitment to their lifelong learning journey in the profession through their practice, energy and the passion for supporting those in need of social work services in the community – is just wonderful to see.”
Four award categories were presented (Consolidation Award in Social Work, Specialist Award in Social Work, Leadership and Strategic Award in Social Work and Advanced Scholarship Award in Social Work) to social workers from the following organisations:
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
- Western Health and Social Care Trust.
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
- Action for Children.
- Barnardo’s.
- Children’s Court Guardian Agency for Northern Ireland.
- CLIC Sergeant.
- Education Authority Northern Ireland.
- Extern.
- GP Federation Western.
- Marie Curie.
- Northern Ireland Hospice.
- Patient Client Council.
- Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
- Probation Board for Northern Ireland.
- Evora Hospice (formerly known as Southern Area Hospice Services.
- Independent social workers.
A new fifth award category for Outstanding Contribution to Social Work Education was established in memory of Dr Judith Mullineux.
Speaking at the ceremony about the introduction of the new award, Roslyn Dougherty, Chair of the Social Care Council’s Professional in Practice Partnership, said:
“As the first recipient of this ward, it’s very special that it is given to Judith Mullineux. Judith had a distinguished career in social work and made a vital contribution to the professional regulation of social work, as a champion for post-qualifying education.
“Judith’s own varied career in social work touched so many and she really ‘belonged’ to the profession. She had a reputation throughout the profession for her wisdom, integrity, decisiveness, intelligence, insight and compassion. She had a profound belief that continuous learning meant improved social work practice, to strengthen and improve social work in Northern Ireland.
“This award recognises her enduring legacy which will be felt by all those entering into a career in social work, as well as her leadership across social work education.”
Notes to editor:
For any queries please contact: Rita McCullagh, Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement on rita.mccullagh@niscc.hscni.net or call 07591 447804.
Photographs are available upon request – see list in press release above.
Award category descriptions:
- NI Consolidation Award – For newly qualified social workers or those re-entering the workforce – this award supports the development of in-depth competence, to produce well-rounded, competent and confident practitioners.
- NI Specialist Award – For social workers involved in complex decision-making requiring high levels of professional responsibility and accountability – this award supports social workers to develop high levels of specialist knowledge, skills and expertise.
- NI Leadership and Strategic Award – For social workers demonstrating high levels of competence, moving beyond the detail of their own practice to explore a wider perspective where they influence developments and are thought leaders.
- Advanced Scholarship Award – The Advanced Scholarship Award provides the opportunity for social workers to have their learning and development recognised at doctoral level and beyond. The award provides:
• an opportunity for social workers to progress their professional development beyond the Leadership and Strategic Award, and
• professional recognition for PhDs and for practice which is commensurate with that level of study. - Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Work.
About the Social Care Council – Together we are raising standards of care
The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (Social Care Council) is a public body established by the Department of Health (DoH) to support high quality standards of social work and social care. Our purpose is to register, regulate and support the development of a strong and professional social work and social care workforce that meets the complex needs of our society.