Three Hounslow Social Workers Nominated for National Award

Andy O’Sullivan, Jonas Kurkalang and Aaron Evans all short-listed

L to R. Andy O’Sullivan, Jonas Kurkalang and Aaron Evans on the roof at Hounslow House

September 4, 2024

Three social workers employed by Hounslow Council have been nominated for this year’s Social Worker of the Year Awards.

The annual awards, which are the only national awards for social workers in England, will be holding a ceremony in London this November at which the winners will be announced.

Jonas Kurkalang has been nominated for Social Worker of the Year; Andy O’Sullivan is vying for Team Manager of the Year and Aaron Evans is up for Newly Qualified Social Worker of the Year. All three were nominated by colleagues at Hounslow Council and chosen by panels of independent judges including previous award winners, social workers, industry leaders and people with experience of social work.

Jonas specialises in adoption and his nomination spoke of his “exceptional commitment and qualities” that has “made a significant impact in the lives of very vulnerable children in Hounslow.” A major part of his role involves ensuring that children are transitioned to their ‘forever families’ within timescales and with support.

Helen Crafter, a foster carer from Chiswick describes Jonas as a “fantastic” social worker, and expands upon the final moments of that process in a blog on the Council website.

She says, “I must also mention our family finding social worker, Jonas at the Council. He's done it for seventeen years and he's fantastic. He arranged a meet in a very independent place. It wasn’t anybody's home. There was nobody else around. It was just a big open park on a weekday afternoon. I was asked to stand back as much as possible, not to ignore the little boy, but just to let him be really. And let them go to him. And I'm sure Jonas had had a word with them as well.”

Andy has worked for Hounslow Council since 2018, where he has developed his skills and knowledge to become an advance practitioner, Assistant Team Manager and in 2022 was appointed Team Manager for the Adolescent Team. Andy is credited with adopting a long-term plan involving a recruitment strategy and an all-round approach that builds trust and long-term relationships with children and their families.

Aaron has nearly completed his Assessed and Supported Year in Employment and has recently become an Autism Specialist Lead within the Adult Learning Disability and Autism Service. He has quickly gained a reputation for successfully assessing risk and inspires a confidence rare in a newly qualified social worker. His nomination described his as “a passionate and diligent social worker who advocates well for those he works with.”

Hounslow Council Leader, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat commented, “It’s testament to our team of social workers that they have achieved multiple nominations at the most prestigious event in the sector. All three have shown the range of qualities necessary to shine in these important roles, including compassion, dedication, and expertise in their respective practises. On behalf the Council, let’s wish them the best of luck!”

Peter Hay CBE, Chair of the Social Work Awards, said: “This year we received hundreds of entries which goes to show how passionate organisations and individuals are to shine a light on the inspirational achievements of an often-overlooked profession.”

This year the awards have eighteen categories across both children’s and adult services including two new categories for 2024; the Technology Enabled Lives and Practice Award and Practitioner-Led Research Award.