Cheshire West Practice Manager Wins Silver at National Social Work Awards

Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced that Dave Redpath-Smith, Social Work Practice Manager and Practice Educator, has won the Silver Award in the Social Justice Champion category at the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025.

Dave’s recognition is a testament to his exceptional practice and unwavering commitment to social justice, equity, and improving lives across the borough. The awards ceremony took place on Friday, October 17th at The Midland Hotel in Manchester, where finalists from across England gathered to celebrate excellence in social work.

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

Dave was selected by a panel of independent judges—including previous award winners, sector leaders, and individuals with lived experience of social work. His Silver Award highlights his leadership, compassion, and dedication to embedding social justice in both frontline practice and management.

Charlotte Walton, Director of Adult Services for Cheshire West and Chester Council commented:  

"Dave’s achievement is a reflection of his deep commitment to the values of social work. His leadership and dedication to social justice inspire us all and make a real difference in our communities."

Councillor Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, added:

"We are incredibly proud of Dave’s recognition at the national level. His work exemplifies the compassion and professionalism that define our social care services in Cheshire West and Chester."

Dave shared his gratitude:

“I am both delighted and humbled to have received this national award in a category so close to my heart.

Social justice and equality have always been the driving forces behind my journey into social work. They continue to inspire my practice every day and fuel my determination to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Nicola Whiteside and the Cheshire and Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership for their nomination, and to Phil Green and Gavin Butler for their unwavering support throughout this process. I’m also deeply grateful to my incredible colleagues across all our Adult Social Care teams—your daily dedication and collaboration make everything we do possible.

A special thank you to my fellow managers and the amazing staff in our Community Teams, who never cease to amaze me with their commitment to making a real and lasting impact in the lives of our residents. Your passion and perseverance are truly inspiring.

I’d also like to acknowledge Charlotte Walton and Stella Higgin for their outstanding leadership and continued commitment to our staff teams and the values we uphold as an authority.

I couldn’t be prouder to work for an organisation like Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC). This award is a testament to the collective effort, heart, and resilience of everyone at CWAC.

I’m thrilled to see social work recognised and celebrated as a profession that truly Enables Great Lives.”

Please join us in celebrating Dave’s incredible achievement and the positive impact he continues to make in our communities.

For more information about the Awards, visit: 

https://www.socialworkawards.com https://dmscdn.vuelio.co.uk/publicitem/3facdf78-ebe2-441d-8958-03400226b28d