Social Work graduate scoops ASYE award from Worcestershire council

A Social Work graduate from the University of Worcester has won an award for her work in the field.

Laura Henry won Worcestershire County Council’s Assessed and Support Year in Employment (ASYE) Award for newly qualified social workers.

Having gained extensive local experience in the fields of residential and foster care, Laura was particularly commended at the award ceremony for her innovative work in the preparation of a sibling group about to move into kinship foster care.

Laura paid credit to her team for helping her win the award, saying: “My team is really supportive and always in high spirits, just how I like to work. My caseload has grown steadily, on 14 at the moment, but with the support I receive that’s manageable. My caseload is so varied and I’m really being stretched which is great.”

Laura graduated from the University’s Masters in Social Work course last December before going on to work as a Social Worker for Worcestershire County Council. Her first degree was also at the University of Worcester where she graduated in Psychology.

“I wanted to become a social worker because I have a passion for working with and supporting vulnerable people,” she said. “I enjoy building relationships and accompanying people along their life journeys and being able to provide them with the tools to improve themselves and their lives.

“The course at Worcester gave me a broad range of knowledge across various areas of social work and gave me two fantastic placements in order to practice my skills. The lecturing team and my colleagues on the course were such a huge support along the way and made it a really enjoyable experience.”

Dr Peter Unwin, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, said: “Laura’s attitude is just the attitude we need in social work today – she gets the paperwork out of the way and then concentrates on building effective relationships with children and families.”

Alongside her day job, Laura is also Child Protection Officer for Worcester Canoe Club where she coaches and also races at regional level.

For information on courses at University of Worcester you can visit one of their Open Days.