York Children’s Services’ worker receives national award

A City of York Council staff member working with children and young people in care has won a national award for her work.

Annie Whitley, a Corporate Parenting and Co Production Advisor, was nominated at the national Frontline Awards, which Celebrate amazing social workers and young people with lived experience of social work.

Frontline described Annie’s approach to working and listening to young people in care and care leavers as ‘resulting in real visible changes to services and policies that make such a difference to young people’.

They also highlighted a consultation she led on care-experience as a protected characteristic, her work to secure a household living fund for care leavers and work to review, reshape and re-launch children’s residential care in the area.

Martin Kelly OBE, the council’s Corporate Director of Children’s Services, said: “Annie’s approach to working with young people in care and care leavers is absolutely fantastic and she richly deserves this national award. As an authority, we’re committed to putting young people in care at the heart of everything we do and I’m so proud that we have wonderful team of people who are equally enthusiastic about helping care-experienced young people go on to fulfil their potential.”

Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “I’m delighted for Annie and the wider team that the work they do has achieved national recognition. It’s only by putting children and young people in our care at the centre of our work that we can fully support them as corporate parents. Our Corporate Parenting Advisors, social workers and foster carers form an incredible team to support children and young people in our care and it’s fantastic that their efforts have been recognised in this way.”