Release date: 24 August 2026
Social Worker of the Year Awards
Four members of WSCC staff and one multidisciplinary team (MDT) from the council’s adults’ and children’s services teams have been named category finalists at the Social Worker of the Year Awards.
- Quality, Practice and Service Development Team - Team of the Year, Adult Services (including MDTs)
- Rangeley Shallis-Barnes - Children’s Social Worker of the Year
- Shona McLaughlin - Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker of the Year
- Karen Golding - Mental Health Social Worker
- Jennifer Benbow - Practice Leadership and Management – Adult Services
The council’s adults’ services Quality, Practice and Service Development Team has been shortlisted for Team of the Year. This is in recognition of its outstanding impact on improving professional practice and partnership working which has resulted in consistently high-quality support for individuals, families, and communities.
In the Children’s Social Worker of the Year category, judges were impressed by Rangeley Shallis-Barnes’ unwavering commitment to going above and beyond for families and young people with additional needs and neurodivergence, ensuring their voices were heard, understood and championed at every stage.
Shona McLaughlin, who completed her social worker apprenticeship last summer, has been shortlisted for Newly Qualified Children’s Social Worker of the Year, for consistently delivering compassionate, child-centred practice that has led to significant improvements in the lives of children, young people and families across West Sussex.
Karen Golding has been named a finalist in the Mental Health Social Worker category for her outstanding contribution to social work over more than 30 years. During this time, her leadership, professional expertise and dedication to continuous improvement have had a lasting and positive impact on the lives of people across West Sussex.
Jennifer Benbow is shortlisted for Practice Leadership and Management – Adult Services in recognition of her exceptional values-driven leadership which has made a lasting impact on both her workforce and the communities they serve, delivering outstanding outcomes for people with complex needs.
The Social Worker of the Year Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honours in the social care sector.
The winners will be announced at the Social Worker of the Year Awards ceremony in October.
National Back Exchange Excellence Awards
The Moving and Handling Team, which works with adults and children, has been named a finalist in the Social Care Team of the Year category at the National Back Exchange (NBE) Excellence Awards 2026.
The NBE Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding work, safety innovations and dedication of practitioner, suppliers, and care teams who are trained to safely lift, transfer, reposition, or assist individuals with limited mobility.
The county council’s Adults and Children’s Moving and Handling Team has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to adult social care, education and safeguarding across West Sussex. Through innovative initiatives such as the Moving and Handling Champions model and Train-the-Trainer programme, they have improved outcomes for people, empowered colleagues and strengthened organisational resilience.
This national recognition is a testament to the team's dedication, expertise and impact.
The winners will be announced on 14 September.
Councillor Sam Raby, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: “Being shortlisted for these prestigious awards is a wonderful achievement and reflects the life-changing difference our social workers make every day.
“Whether supporting children and families through difficult circumstances or helping people find stability and hope, they demonstrate professionalism, empathy and a steadfast commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. This recognition is thoroughly deserved, and I am delighted to see their work celebrated.”
Councillor Richard Bates, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “I’m really proud to see our colleagues and teams shortlisted across several categories. These nominations highlight the innovation, leadership and expertise that underpin social care in West Sussex, as well as the positive impact our staff have on the people they support.
“It is fantastic to see their achievements acknowledged at a national level, and I wish them every success at the awards ceremony.”
