Shropshire social worker crowned ‘Adult Social Worker of the Year’ at national awards
Chloe Lambert, who works at Shropshire Council, was awarded Adult Social Worker of the Year 2024 at a celebration event for social workers in London on Friday, 8 November.
The Social Worker of the Year awards were established in 2006 by independent social work practitioner, Beverley Williams MBE. The Awards celebrate social work and promote positive stories from the profession.
Each award category is judged by an independent panel of social workers, people with lived experience, and senior figures from the world of social work.
A senior social worker in Shropshire’s community team, Chloe is a practitioner who strongly believes in the potential of others, doesn’t shy away from positive risk-taking, and puts the goals and wishes of the individuals she supports at the centre of her approach.
This commitment to human rights was evident even in her early days as a newly qualified social worker when, while working for a large residential provider, she registered over 300 adults with learning disabilities to vote.
Chloe is passionate about social work education and in her additional role as teaching consultant to local universities, she has delivered several sessions on adult social work topics. She has also successfully developed practitioners through apprenticeship to full qualification.
As her Director of Adult Social Services commented, “Chloe is simply an excellent practitioner who achieves excellent outcomes for both service users and student social workers alike.”
Upon winning her award, Chloe said: “The whole thing is really overwhelming, to be honest I’m still just proud that I was nominated! It’s great to be recognised in this category as children’s services often gets a lot more press than adult’s press – these awards highlight the important work going and make us feel proud of what we do.”
This year’s Adult Social Worker of the Year Award was sponsored by the Award’s Corporate Sponsor, Sanctuary Personnel.
James Rook, CEO of Sanctuary Personnel said: "It’s a privilege to sponsor the 'Adult Social Worker of the Year' award, which honours the dedicated professionals who stand as pillars of support and advocacy for adults across the UK.
“In a landscape of evolving needs and challenges, these individuals bring compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to their roles, creating meaningful change in the lives of so many. Their work not only uplifts individuals and families but also strengthens communities, making our society a more supportive and inclusive place for all.
“Congratulations to the remarkable winner of the Adult Social Worker of the Year award! Your commitment to supporting vulnerable adults shines so brightly, bringing compassion and positive transformation to countless lives. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to individuals, families, and communities across your county.”
Peter Hay CBE, Chair of Trustees for the Social Worker of the Year Awards, said “The Awards celebrate the very best in social work, showcasing the remarkable achievements of those in the profession. It’s a real honour to highlight the inspiring accomplishments of both individuals and organisations in this often-underappreciated field. Congratulations to all of our finalists and winners, and a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for making these Awards possible.
