Caring Social Worker Voted Employee Of The Year

A senior Inverness-based social worker has been named Highland Council’s Employee of the Year. Kate Birch, the council’s children’s services manager for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, was given the award after 24 years’ service to social work in the Highlands.

In her job she helps vulnerable children, children in need and looked-after children to ensure they get the best start in life and to promote the best possible outcome.

She was nominated by director of social work services Harriet Dempster, who said: “Kate is always positive, leading with a ‘can do’ attitude. This conveys both confidence and instils loyalty.

“Kate has high standards and is fiercely proud of the hard work and achievements of her staff.

“She is quick and responsive in her recognition of their efforts and conveys in no uncertain terms the high value she places on their commitment and contribution.”

Ms Birch beat off competition from two other members of staff to receive the prize at the council’s annual Quality Awards, which were held at North Highland College at Thurso on Monday.

Wick North Primary School’s janitor Robert Banks, and Alf Leslie, the senior energy inspector with the housing and property service in Inverness, were also nominated.

Other winners on the night included Alness Academy youth development officer Janette Douglas, Inverness-based genealogist Alistair MacLeod, and Steven Urquhart, a street cleaner at Tain, who were all commended by the community council for special recognition.

Nairn Academy scooped the Team of the Year award after it was the first Scottish school to visit Malawi as part of the Dreams and Teams Initiative in June.

And Trainee of the Year was Duncan Winston, a third-year joinery apprentice from Tain, who works for the housing and property department in Sutherland.