Highland Social Workers win national award

Two Highland Practitioners have won the Kay Carmichael Travel Award which was presented at the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW) Conference on Friday 14 May.

The Kay Carmichael Travel Award is sponsored by the ADSW and the Scottish Government. The award honours Kay Carmichael - eminent social campaigner who died in December 2009.

This award is about helping people improve understanding in their field of practice by allowing them to examine it from a different perspective.

A submission from Highland Council’s Autism Practitioner, Suzie MacAskill and Disability Key Worker, Catherine Thow who are based at Drummuie Golspie was chosen for the £2,000 award.

Suzie and Catherine intend using the award to further their training and expertise in autism and disabilities by travelling to the USA in August this year. They will attend training led by world-renowned expert Don Meyer, Director Siblings support Projects based in Seattle Washington. The training will address the affects of autism and disabilities on siblings.

At the ceremony in Crieff, Alan Richards, Highland Council’s North Team Manager, Children’s Disability Service accepted the award from the Minister for Children and Early Years, Adam Ingram.  In his vote of thanks Alan indicated that he was accepting the award on behalf of his team who are undertaking innovative group work with children and families with autism and disabilities.

Councillor Margaret Davidson Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee congratulated Suzie and Catherine on their achievements she said: “I commend our staff for their pioneering spirit and for the ground-breaking work that they are achieving in the very challenging field of child autism and disabilities. Their desire to advance their knowledge and expertise in this field is commendable and was acknowledged at the awards.

“I understand that the Minister praised Highland Council at the ceremony and was encouraging all authorities to take the lead from us and adopt the GIRFEC (Getting it right for every child) approach as a means of promoting the best outcomes and achieving best value.”