Awards recognition for social worker after 30 year career

A London social worker in her fourth decade of supporting vulnerable people walked away with the top honour at the Social Worker of the Year 2010 awards event in Bedford at the weekend.

Davinia Miln, a social worker with the London Borough of Richmond, won the overall Social Worker of the Year award for her efforts alongside children, families and older adults in need. She beat off the challenges of 14 other nominees to land the top prize, which she received from BASW chief executive Hilton Dawson.

Ms Miln’s 30 year career has seen her move from a lengthy period working as a social worker in schools to specialising in dementia care with older people. The judging panel cited her hard work, commitment and enthusiasm for her daily tasks as the basis of her success.

It is the fifth year the Social Worker of the Year awards, founded by social worker Beverley Williams, have been staged. Martin Weinbren received the runner up prize in recognition of his previous work with vulnerable children and his ongoing support for social workers as a case worker with BASW’s Advice and Representation Service.

Ms Miln said the award came as “a huge shock’. She added: “Working in the social work profession is incredibly difficult at times, but it has definitely been a hugely rewarding career and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”