Council social worker shortlisted for top Scottish award

An SIC employee has been shortlisted in the annual Scottish Association of Social Work Awards.

Elinor Thompson, a team leader with the council’s children and families social work team, has been shortlisted for the Social Worker of the Year award.

She is one of eight nominees in the category, with the winners announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh tomorrow evening.

Ms Thomspon was nominated by her colleagues in the council department, who acknowledged her leadership and the support she provided to allow them to do the best for the children and families they worked with.

Ms Thompson said: “I am humbled to have been shortlisted for the Social Worker of the Year award.

“Nothing we achieve is achieved alone and this is a recognition of the commitment and professionalism of the Children and Families Team and all work that we do as a multiagency team here in Shetland.”

SIC director of children’s services Helen Budge said: “Social work can be a challenging profession and social workers can often have to make difficult decisions.

“Elinor leads by example and has a quiet resolve and dignity in the face of competing demands.

“She has led the service through a well thought out period of improvement and is a well deserved nominee for this national award.”

The awards aim to promote the public image of social work and have this year seen a record number of nominations.

The seven award categories are: Social Worker of the Year; Residential Care Worker of the Year; Student Social Worker of the Year; Practice Teacher of the Year; Social Work Lecturer of the Year; Social Work Team of the Year: Best Practice through Ongoing Learning; and Social Work Team: Best Example of Collaborative Working in an Integrated Setting.