Jan 1, 2024

GILL ADAMS (Carmarthenshire Youth Support Service)

AWARD WINNER 2023-24: Gill receives an Award for her “exceptional” leadership of Carmarthenshire Youth Justice Service – driven by an unstinting commitment to the needs of young people – turning a previously struggling service into one now widely acknowledged as an example of best practice across the sector. [Gill’s Award is supported by Serco Justice & Immigration.]
Jan 1, 2024

JUSTIN LAIDLER (North Tyneside Youth Justice Service)

AWARD WINNER 2023-24: Justin’s Award is for all-round excellence as a Youth Justice Worker with North Tyneside YJS; for the boundless energy, passion, and positivity he brings to his role; and for his ability to build trust, and inspire hope, in those who others struggle to reach – ”every service should have a Justin”. [Justin’s Award is supported by Sodexo Government.]
Jan 1, 2024

KATHY GILL (Wirral Youth Justice Service)

COMMENDEE 2023-24: Kathy is Commended in her role as Manager of Wirral Youth Justice Service, for embedding the ‘Child First’ approach she exemplifies, and introducing a range of initiatives, such as ‘Operation Inclusion’ focused on those at risk of exploitation, and the ‘In the Zone’ outreach programme to schools.
Jan 1, 2024

LISA GRAY (Barton Moss Secure Care Centre)

COMMENDEE 2023-24: Lisa receives a Commendation for her enthusiasm, skill, and compassion as Interventions Manager at Barton Moss Secure Care Centre – one of the many young people who supported her nomination called her “the best person I have ever met”, with another adding, “she changed my life”.
Jan 1, 2024

DEBBIE JONES (Bridgend Youth Justice Service)

COMMENDEE 2023-24: Debbie is the Quality Assurance and Performance Officer at Bridgend Youth Justice Service, and receives a Commendation for her instrumental role, and tenacity, in developing and driving forward trauma-informed practice for young people, both within the YJS, and across the Cwm Taf region.
Jan 1, 2024

ALISON SABAROCHE (Hammersmith & Fulham Youth Justice Service)

COMMENDEE 2023-24: Alison’s Commendation is for her work as Head of Hammersmith & Fulham Youth Justice Service: driving up standards in the management and care of young people; forging strong relationships with partner agencies; and achieving an ‘Outstanding’ rating for the service from HMI Probation.
Jan 1, 2023

ANDREW BAILIE (Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Praised by colleagues, and the families of the young people in his care, as “a first class social worker”, “brilliant”, and “an inspiration”, Andrew receives a Commendation for the skill and dedication he has brought to his work in Northern Ireland’s Youth Justice Agency over almost four decades.
Jan 1, 2023

IAN COULTER (Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Ian is Commended for the impact his talent and commitment has brought to all aspects of his work in Northern Ireland’s Youth Justice Agency, where his approach is widely admired by colleagues, and by the young people and families with whom he works.
Jan 1, 2023

JIM ELDER (Highland Council Youth Justice Team)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Jim receives a Commendation for his remarkable talent and tenacity, and his warm and caring approach, as a Youth Justice Social Worker in Inverness, putting “his heart and soul” into everything he does, and “going the extra 100 miles” when needed on behalf of the young people in his care.
Jan 1, 2023

ABDI HASSAN (Southwark Youth Justice Services)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: “A fantastic ambassador”, Abdi is Commended, as a Health and Wellbeing Officer with Southwark Youth Justice Service, for the passion, warmth, and kindness he brings to the role, and for his exceptional ability to form effective relationships with young people, their families, colleagues, and partners.
Jan 1, 2022

PAUL WOOD (West Sussex Youth Offending Team)

AWARD WINNER 2021-22: TPaul is granted an Award for his exceptional work with West Sussex Youth Offending Team. Winning widespread praise from colleagues for his “enthusiasm”, “compassion”, and “creativity”, he “has a heart of gold” according to one young person, while to one of their parents “what Paul does is beyond words”. [This Award is supported by Ingeus.]
Jan 1, 2022

SHARON ARNOLD (Oakhill Secure Training Centre)

COMMENDEE 2021-22: Nominated by one of the young people at Oakhill STC, and described as “exceptional” by her Director, Sharon is Commended for her extraordinary compassion and skill in supporting even the most complex children in her care.