The latest silverware came when two local social workers received recognition for excellence in their respective fields. Laura Arthur won the Leadership Award at the Scottish Social Services Awards and Megan Cassidy was a finalist in the Bright Spark in Social Work category.

The success closely follows a win at the Scottish Health Awards, SLHSCP’s Home First programme taking Integrated Care Award, and the Blantyre development coming out on top of the Excellence in Health and Wellbeing category at the Chartered Institute of Housing Excellence Awards 2022.

Representatives of all of the projects (pictured above) were present and formally recognised at South Lanarkshire Council's Social Work Resources Committee, where they received warm congratulations from all members.

Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire, led the note of thanks and recognition. 

He said: “Our health and care services, our partners, our staff continue to face challenges like never before.

“Facing those challenges and doing the best we can by local people and communities relies on our staff collaborating, innovating and having drive.”

Mr Sengupta added: “These accolades are concrete evidence of outstanding achievement and exemplary professionalism spanning across our diverse services. That is a source of renewed confidence - and bodes well - for whatever twists and turns we have to collectively negotiate in the road ahead.

“I’m exceptionally proud and privileged to work with outstanding staff and extend my sincere thanks to them – and all our teams and services - who continue to work extremely hard for the people of South Lanarkshire.”

Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of the Social Work Resources Committee, echoed the sentiment.

She said: “As Chair, I regularly bear witness and hear about the exemplary work of our staff and partners first hand.

"These national awards are a reflection of the compassion and professionalism of our local teams. They also highlight the rigour, innovation and commitment our Health and Social Care Partnership is bringing to addressing well publicised challenges being encountered across the nation.”