Regional Social Work Awards 2025 - Sunshine Award - Application form

Overview

Regional Social Work Awards 2025 - Apply now!

'Celebrating the unique identity, diversity, vibrancy, care and commitment of social workers’

Nominations are now open for the Regional Social Work Awards 2025.  These awards are open to social workers and teams working in the statutory, voluntary, independent, education, justice, probation and training sectors in Northern Ireland.

There are eight awards categories within the 2025 Social Work Awards. This application form is only to be used for the Sunshine Award.

Applications for this award are welcome from individuals/teams in all areas of social work. Nominees do not have to be working in a unique project to submit an application. Previous applicants are welcome to reapply if their application has a different practice focus. 

Details for all the awards categories (eligibility and judging criteria) and links to application forms for the other categories are available from the Guidance Booklet linked to the bottom of this page. A Checklist to help you organise the material for the application is also available to download below. 

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 20 October 2024.  Applications must be submitted through this online form. 

Please contact the Social Care Council Business Support Team businesssupport@niscc.hscni.net if you need assistance to complete the online application form.

Good luck and we look forward to receiving your nomination - Regional Social Work Awards 2025 Planning Team

Why your views matter

Social Work is a unique profession because it focuses on empowering individuals, families and communities and working alongside them to address social issues and promote positive change. We do this through advocacy and by providing support, practical help, and above all by holding close to our social work values along the way.

Social Work in Northern Ireland is unique due to its context within the region’s distinct history which means that social work sits within, and deals with, the out-workings of a post-conflict society. Northern Ireland is like nowhere else in the islands of the UK and Ireland. We are a unique people with distinct history, culture, social challenges and a quirky sense of ‘Norn Irish’ humour. The social work profession plays a crucial role in contributing to the well-being of all of the people of Northern Ireland within this unique context.

The Regional Social Work Awards 2025 aims to encapsulate that sense of unique identity by recognising the diversity, vibrancy, care and commitment of social workers who continue to engage in empathetic and collaborate practices to enhance the well-being of the people of Northern Ireland. Shortlisted nominees will be invited to take part in the awards presentation at the Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen on Wednesday 26 March 2025.