Cheshire West Practice Manager Named Finalist for National Social Work Award

Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced that David Redpath-Smith, a dedicated Social Work Practice Manager and Practice Educator from Cheshire West and Chester Council, has been named a finalist in the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Awards.

David has been shortlisted in the Social Justice Champion category, a testament to his exceptional practice and unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges—including previous award winners, social workers, sector leaders, and individuals with lived experience of social work. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony on Friday, October 17th at The Midland Hotel in Manchester.

Now in its 19th year, the Social Worker of the Year Awards is the only major national awards event for social work in England. It celebrates outstanding achievements in the profession and aims to improve public understanding of the challenging and rewarding work social workers do every day.

This year’s 18 award categories include returning favourites such as Mental Health Social Worker of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside exciting new additions like International Social Work and Practice Leadership and Management for Children and Adults.

Peter Hay CBE, Chair of the Social Work Awards, shared his congratulations:
“Our heartfelt congratulations to David Redpath-Smith. Being shortlisted is a powerful endorsement of their contribution to social work. This recognition honours not only their dedication but the values that drive the whole profession; compassion, resilience and a commitment to change.”

David expressed his gratitude and pride:

“Social justice has always been a core value that I strive to embed in my practice—not only as a social worker, but now also as a manager. To be nominated in this category holds special meaning for me.”

David extended heartfelt thanks to his team—the Neston and Chester South Community Social Work Team—as well as his fellow Practice Managers and Team Managers in Community, Senior Management and Directors Phil Green, Gavin Butler, Stella Higgin, and Charlotte Walton. He also thanked the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership (CMSWTP) for their support and for nominating him for this award.

Please join us in celebrating David’s incredible achievement and wishing him the very best at the upcoming awards ceremony!

For more information about the Awards, visit:

https://www.socialworkawards.com

Pictured - David Redpath-Smith.