16th December 2025
Five of the eight regional finalists in this year’s Regional Social Work Dragons’ Den were from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, with all five projects successfully securing funding — providing an early Christmas present for our teams and the people they support.
Out of 31 applications across the region, the Trusts teams’ creativity, collaboration, and commitment to improving social work and social care practice were widely recognised.
Projects ranged from developing resources to support mental health and learning disabilities, to creating safe, inclusive spaces for Deaf service users and families navigating adoption and permanence. The Trust’s strong representation in the finalists reflects both the quality of ideas being generated locally and the dedication of staff to improving social care services.
The Dragons’ Den Social Work event is a unique regional competition designed to give social work and social care teams the opportunity to showcase innovative ideas for service improvement.
The five regional projects were:
- Mental Health / Children and Young People and Women’s Services – Bridging the Gap
A joint initiative between Adult Mental Health and Children’s Services, Bridging the Gap: Family Information and Support Pack provides families with practical information and resources. Awarded third place, the project demonstrates innovative, family-centred practice and will use the prize funding to further develop the pack. - Learning Disability Service – Let’s Talk About It
This initiative supports conversations around relationships, intimacy, and sexual health for people with learning disabilities. A regional training toolkit will help staff address these topics in a rights-based, safe, and consistent way, promoting positive experiences and safeguarding service users. - Sensory Disability Team – Creative Clubs for Deaf Sign Language Users
The Cherrytrees Creative Club provides accessible social opportunities for Deaf service users often excluded due to communication barriers. The project aims to maintain the existing club and establish a second Creative Club, reducing isolation and improving wellbeing. - CAMHS – ‘When There Are No Words’ Crisis Intervention Toolkit
This toolkit supports children and young people during mental health crises, helping manage sensory needs, regulate stress, and support families. The pilot will provide an average of 12 packs per week over six months, offering vital support when it is most needed. - Adoption and Permanence Service – The Nest
The Nest project supports children and families in the adoption and permanence process, delivering innovative tools and resources to improve outcomes. The project transforms a former storage room into a therapeutic space where young people and families can partake in life story work, group work, outreach, and attachment-based activities. This safe, calm, and nurturing environment is invaluable in addressing early childhood trauma and supporting often fragile families.
Commenting on the achievement, Colm McCafferty, Executive Director of Social Work with the Trust, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our teams’ innovation, creativity and determination across all sectors to improve the lives of those who use and need our social work and social care support.
“Their recognition as finalists, and the success of Bridging the Gap in winning third place, reflects the talent and commitment across our Trust.”
