Kelly wins for Hillingdon at the Children & Young People Awards

Kelly, who works within the council's adolescent team was awarded the top prize in her category at the national ceremony, which took place at Birmingham's International Convention Centre (ICC).

Kelly joined Hillingdon in 2011 as a support worker, before going on to become a social worker. She was nominated by her colleagues in the adolescent team who said the "incredible passion and insight" she brings to her role had helped countless young people in the borough progress and thrive.

As part of Hillingdon Council's wider children's services department, the adolescent team works with a variety of young people in the borough. The team has a unique approach to supporting service users, by allowing young people to choose their own social worker, based on their personal qualities. This approach has been instrumental in achieving successful long-term outcomes for young people in Hillingdon.

Kelly said: "I am really honoured to have been nominated for this award, and to have won it. I'm incredibly lucky to be a part of a brilliant team and it's only because of the support I get from them, my manager Kudakwashe Kurashwa, and our wonderful head of service Vali Danciu, that I've been able to develop and achieve as I have." 

"I really love what I do, I've met and worked with some truly inspiring young people who've brought me so much joy over the years, so being awarded for it is the icing on the cake really!

Cllr Susan O'Brien, Hillingdon's Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education said: "Huge congratulations to Kelly on her win. It's hard to overstate how impressive it is to be voted the best children and families social worker in the country, especially in such a strong field of 10 other nominees.

"I'm really proud of her and her team who work so tirelessly every day to help improve the life chances of children, young people and their families in Hillingdon."