25th September 2025
Consolidation Award winners
The Southern Trust is delighted that the achievement of Social Work colleagues has been recognised at the 2025 Northern Ireland Social Care Council Professional in Practice Awards.
Leadership and Strategic Award winners
The awards celebrate the achievements of inspiring social workers, and their commitment to improving professional practice through learning and development. The award categories include: Consolidation Award, a requirement for all staff post qualification; Specialist Award; Leadership and Strategic Award.
This year’s theme was ‘belonging in social work’, with speakers reflecting on the connection between professional identity and the role of social workers in fostering a sense of belonging with service users, carers and communities through their direct practice
Achievement within the Professional in Practice Framework (PIP) is inextricably linked to the fundamentals of social work practice, demonstrating the commitment of staff to continuous learning and evidence-based practice. Executive Director of Social Work Colm McCafferty, paid tribute to his Southern Trust colleagues:
“I am very proud of our social workers from across adult and children’s services who received awards within the PIP framework. This academic and professional achievement is reflective of their commitment to delivering the best practice to our service users and leading by example within the profession.
“The PIP framework is the cornerstone of our professional practice and is crucial to the delivery of high quality social work services. I would like to thank each Social Worker who received awards for their dedication, and the managers, colleagues and family members who have supported them on this journey. I would also like to thank the Social Services Workforce Training and Development team for the support and guidance offered to all PIP candidates.
Kellie O Donnell, who received her Specialist Award and works as a Senior Social Work Practitioner – MDT Primary Care.
Specialist Award winners
“To have so many colleagues awarded by our workforce regulator is a testament to the standard of social work practice right across the entire Southern Trust.”
Consolidation Award
Martina Krejciova, Initial Professional Development
Joanne McCann, Initial Professional Development
Jana McKenzie, Cognitive Behaviour Practice
Ann McMahon, Cognitive Behaviour Practice
Fiona Murphy, Initial Professional Development
Claire Prentice, Cognitive Behaviour Practice
Donnchádh Ritchie, Cognitive Behaviour Practice
Joanne Woods, Initial Professional Development
Leadership and Strategic Award
Alana-Marie Carr, Combined
Tara Murphy, Systemic Psychotherapy
Alana Carr, centre Head of Social Work and Social care governance. One of the recipients of the Strategic and Leadership award with Brenda Horgan Head of Service for Social Services Workforce Development and Training and Marita Magennis, Assistant Director of Social Work and Social Care Governance.
Specialist Award
Leon Blue, Adult Safeguarding
Erin Breen, Education/Training – Practice Teaching
Lisa Marie, Coyle Palliative Care
Lynn Cross, Social Work and Community Development
Tanya Dunlop, Social Work and Community Development
Sharon Ellis, Palliative Care
Niall Gallagher, Palliative Care
Danielle Gibson, Education/Training – Practice Teaching
Una Hobson Mental Health, Approved Social Work
Chloe Hughes, Adult Safeguarding
Molly McDermott, Mental Health – Approved Social Work
Kellie O’Donnell, Palliative Care
Carrie Ann Rafferty, Combined
Stephanie Rodgers, Research
Matthew Sloan, Education/Training – Practice Teaching
Barry Toner, Education/Training – Practice Teaching
Emma-Louise Walker, Mental Health – Approved Social Work