Nominations for the 2018 Scottish Social Services Awards have officially opened

Nominations for the Scottish Social Services Awards #SSS18 have officially opened this week, inviting entries from the best in social services.

It features a new special policy focus award to recognise excellence in Children’s Services and to mark 2018 also being the Year of Young People. Children’s Services play a crucial role in helping disadvantaged young people realise their potential and get the best start in life. Entries for this award will be judged by a panel of young people who use, or have accessed, children’s services.

Building on the success of the 2017 awards, the other usual categories are back, designed to acknowledge innovation, joined up thinking and recognise people and organisations which help vulnerable people. The awards are distinguished by the unique categories which encourage nominations for those with the courage to take a risk, who stick their head above the parapet and the bright sparks of the future.

Introduced by the Scottish Social Services Strategic Forum, the 2017 awards attracted over 150 entries and were such a success that plans to continue the awards were confirmed. Individuals, teams and organisations working across social services are now being invited to make their nominations before 31 January 2018.

Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Maree Todd, said: “We’re proud to support the Scottish Social Services Awards – it is an excellent opportunity to highlight the work of dedicated people who work across social services. By the very nature of their profession, many people and organisations who work in the sector go the extra mile for service users, so the finalists will be made up of a very impressive list.

“It’s also great to see the new category on Children’s Services will be judged by young people with experience of these services – an excellent choice as we approach 2018, the Year of Young People.”

Nominations for the Scottish Social Services Awards 2018 can be made online at www.sssa.scot where there are also helpful hints and tips and films of previous winners to help people make their own submission. Anyone registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or working for an organisation registered with the Care Inspectorate can enter.

Finalists will be announced on 19 March 2018 and invited to a special awards ceremony taking place in Edinburgh on 6 June 2018.