We are proud to share that Katy Cleece, Social Work Research Lead here at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, has received nationwide recognition for her outstanding contribution to the social work profession.
Amazing Social Workers is a campaign championing the exceptional work happening across the UK social work profession. It is run by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), the UK’s largest professional body for social work. The awards aim to highlight the achievements of individuals and teams in the profession, whilst also raising the profile and public understanding of the critical role of social work in our communities.
Katy's nomination
"I nominate Katy because she represents the very best of social work: compassionate, values-driven, and deeply committed to empowering others. Katy creates spaces where people feel safe, understood and never judged. Even during challenging moments, she offers steady support while encouraging thoughtful, proportionate action that keeps individuals’ strengths and stories at the centre.
As a mentor, she is exceptional. Most of the time she has experience in whatever I’m exploring, drawing on a career full of rich, varied learning and experience. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know something, she immediately finds someone I can shadow, a resource to read, or a professional to connect with. She treats students as emerging colleagues and genuinely believes in their potential.
Alongside this, Katy brings research to life in an accessible, inspiring way. Her passion for co-production and improving social care outcomes never overshadows her warmth- it deepens it. She shows that research, relationships, and humanity can sit side by side in practice.
Katy is inspiring, passionate, and quietly transformative. She is the kind of social worker who changes confidence, practice, and lives- and the kind of social worker I aspire to be.
We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you for your selfless dedication to our profession and the people we support - for being an Amazing Social Worker."
Over 300 individuals and teams were nominated by their colleagues this year, including frontline practitioners, students, managers, leaders, educators and newly qualified social workers.
BASW will feature their accomplishments on their website and social media channels throughout March as part of their celebrations for World Social Work Day.
Commenting on the awards, BASW UK Vice-Chair Lewis Roberts said:
“BASW is proud run our Amazing Social Workers campaign for its sixth consecutive year. It is a wonderful way for our profession to celebrate inspiring social work practice and pay tribute to the many individual and collective successes that deserve to be noticed.
Across our communities, social workers go above and beyond to make a positive difference to the lives of adults, children and families they support. Whether it’s advancing people’s rights and challenging injustices, to advocating for fairness and promoting wellbeing, the role of social work has never been more important during these challenging times.
Congratulations to everyone who has been recognised this year and thank you for all you do everyday. We look forward to shining a spotlight on your achievements as part of our World Social Work Day celebrations.”
