The exemplary practice of the Isle of Wight Council Social Care and Development Team has been recognised at the national Skills for Care Accolades 2007.   The prestigious awards equivalent of the Oscars in the social care world are made annually and recognise the most innovative practice in the field of social care throughout the country.

At the ceremony in the Landmark Hotel, Regent’s Park, London the Isle of Wight Council team received a ‘highly commended’ and national recognition of the team’s ability to lead the way in the development of exciting new practice learning opportunities for social work students in Island schools.

Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing Dawn Cousins said:

“Awards of this kind don’t happen without a huge amount of effort and commitment on the part of everyone concerned. Osborne and Downside Middle Schools in particular are to be congratulated for their enthusiasm in supporting the development of effective partnerships across the Council structure very much a ‘One Council’ approach”

“Four individuals deserve recognition for the pivotal role they have played in the success of this initiative: Colin Bright, the council’s practice learning co-ordinator, Fran Shelley, a practice teacher at Downside Middle School, Victoria Spall, a social work student, and Hannah Izod, a work-based supervisor at Osborne Middle School”

The focus now is on maintaining the momentum. Further placement opportunities are being developed with Ventnor Middle School and in the private, voluntary and independent sectors; and both the Children’s Services and Community Services Directorates remain committed to the promotion of quality learning opportunities here on the Isle of Wight.

IWC Media.