The National Children and Young People Awards 2026 Finalists Announced

The Young Carer Award

Lily Carpenter, Independent 

Aria Minnikin, Independent 

The Employer Award (North)

11:11 Care Services

Embrace Care

Exceptional Care

Grahams Consultants 

Helping Care Ltd

IDEM Living

Inspiring Futures Care and Support Services

LifeBridge Group Ltd

New Horizons NW 

Northridge Care and Education Group

Sanitas Cura LTD

Surepath Homes

Vita Nova NE Ltd

The Employer Award (South)

Amegreen Children’s Services

Capital Children’s Care

Involve Care Solutions

Montage Services

Reaching Higher 

Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited

Summit Heaven

SureCare Residential Ltd The White Trees Group

Teens Unite Fighting Cancer

The Owl

Thrive Support Services Ltd

The Employer Award (Central) 

Bayleaf Care

Bright Life Living

Emplace Care Ltd

Hand in Hand Childcare Ltd.

Headway Care Services 

Heal Care Group

Insight Wellbeing Services Ltd

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust

Physis Quantum

WiNurture Childcare

The Newcomer Award

Steven Best, Culina Roc

Abbie Dickinson, New Chapters Care

Sophie Favell, First 4 Care

Ugochukwu George Andy-Eke, Aspris Children Services

Abby Lomas, Bee N Spired

Bella May, WhiteTrees – Surecare Group

Gemma McCann, Bridge-Moore Homes

Chris Roberts, Jupiter Care Services 

Ashleigh Smith, Heycroft Care Group

Chloe Ulrico, Thrive Support Services Ltd

Sammy Vandepeer, Aetheria Group Ltd – Frontline Social Care Ltd

Jordann Williams, Insight Wellbeing Services

Archie Woolcott, Heycroft Care Group 

Obale Zebulum, A&R Guardian

The Children’s Home Manager Award (North)

Sam Allen, First 4 Care

Keisha Brophy, 1st Choice Housing Solutions

Ash Chaudary, Welcare Global Ltd

Charley Coker, Proactive Care (Manchester) Ltd

Jessica Dyson, XYP Childcare

Nina Howarth, We are Juno CIC

Natalie Lacey, Changing Life’s Care

Sue Murfitt, Shared Care

Olivia Parker, 3s Adolescent Care

Chris Roberts , Jupiter Child Care Services

Ryan Taylor, Prosperity Children’s Services

Charlotte Tipper, Onextra Care Ltd

Erica Walmsley, Holden Knight

Kelly Yates, Amoria Residential

The Children’s Home Manager Award (South)

Peige Aarons, Kelwel Care

Codie Al Cleugh, Phoenix Learning and Care

Craig Blackwood, Promoting Youth Ltd

Danielle Carr, Capital Children’s care

Sarah Dale, Adamas House CIC

Janice Fish, Compass Children’s Homes

Laura Hutson, Cambian Group

Lisa Marie Care, Created to Care

Alison McCulloch, Strive and Succeed Ltd

Sara Moran, Personal Security Service (PSS Care Group)

Harina Rai, Caring Feathers Ltd

Helen Sadlerv, The Belsteads Group

Morgan Wood, Aetheria Group Ltd – Frontline Social Care Ltd

The Children’s Home Manager Award (Central)

Tina Bali, Heal Care Group

Rebecca Cussens, Sunflower Children Care Services

Joel Davies-Barrass, Lm Care Homes Ltd

Jennifer Dowse, Solace for Children

Lisa Furnell, Orchard Children’s Home Ltd

Charlie Grantham, Bridge2Future

Clayton Hall, Heartwood Care Group

Sadiyya Jaunbocus Jones, In Sight Care

Simon King, Para Group Holdings

Caroline Madya, JCS Limited

Kerrie Moore, Watermead Care Ltd

Emma Nelson, Chillington Close Ltd

Ellie Twaites, Esland Ltd

Matt White, Physis Care Group Limited

The Administrator Award 

Lynn Aungier, Woodford Children’s Services

Beth Baker, Amegreen Children’s Services

Laura Brown, Grahams Consultants

Helen Cox, Homes2inspire

Maiya Francis Gray, I.M.P.A.C.T. CRC

Cassandra Glenholmes, Bright Life Living

Jane Jackson, Salutem Care and Education

Michael Kalanowski, Insight Wellbeing Services Ltd

Susan Smith, Insight Wellbeing Services Ltd

Kimberley Stead, Active Assistance

Kiran Khan, Insight Care Group

Gina Watts, New Horizons 

Registered Service Manager Award – Supported Accommodation

Ruby Bleek, Safe Haven Accommodation

Kylie Brown, Care4life Healthcare

Richard Burston, My Life Semi Independent Project

Louise Campbell, Salutem Care

Elizabeth Chisanga, Brighter Stays Ltd

Steve Corbin, Safe Haven Accommodation

Aldona Dhami, Silverbirch Care Holdings Limited

Lucy Evans, Adullam Housing and Support

Finda Gbondo, Route To Transition

Aimee Jevon, Include In Autism

Ella Kavanagh, Clearsprings Ready Homes

Kayleigh Morrison, Pathway Homes

Alisha O’Connor Cambell, Marvellous Properties Limited

The Frontline Leader Award

Sheila Balding, Hollybank Trust

Christina De Abreu, Valiant Homes Limited

Mary Funmi Lawon, Cheeryblossom Supported Living Limited

Sophie Godwin, Bright Life Living

Abi Grabecki, Helping Hands Care and Consultancy

Jessica Green, Resilience Care Homes

Debbie Hepper, Arronbeth Ltd

Kelsey Horrocks, Northridge Care and Education Group

Youlen Lamontagne, Bess Solutions ltd

Claire Marshall, Benecare

Gloria Ocquaye, Thrive Care Homes

Rebekah Scragg, Monarch Interventions

Taylor Thompson, Holden Knight

Eraj Waheed, Bridge2future

The Senior Manager Award

3s Adolescentcare

Carly Ann Martin, Heartwood Care Group

Ahsan Arif, Care Services To You Ltd

Kim Bell, Priority Futures Ltd

Vanessa Caldicott, Aspris Children Services

Shelly Daly, Flora Care

Jonny Fisher, JMT Healthcare

Mekhi Johnson-Marshall, Pure Grace Homes Ltd

Kerry Maynard, Witherslack Group North

Shona Mcfarlane, Inicio Group

Tina Sleight, B.E.S.T Project

Jackie Smeeth, Highlands Group

Maria Walters, AMMA Childcare Services

The Children’s Home Team Award (North)

Alina Pop & Team, Sheffield City Council

The Dunes Team, New Horizons NW

Palm Grove Team, Sure Steps Support Services

Knowsley House Team, Quality Protects Children

Willow House , Formations Care Services

Star House, Inspired Care Group Limited

The Lighthouse, Associated Wellbeing

Matt Mclean & Team, Seaside Care

Wellbrow Staff Team, Sanitas Cura

Laura Sutton, Pebbles Care

The Sycamore Team, Good Foundations Limited

The Team, Crystal Care Solutions

Church View Team, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

Emily Waddilove, Thrive Residential Care ltd

The Children’s Home Team Award (South)

Alanna Alston & Team, PBS Care Ltd

Michelle Burrows, Suffolk County Council

The Calthorpe Team, Clover Childcare Services

Shamiso Chuma, Blakdiamond Social Care Limited

Anthony Craggs, Innovative Care

Phoebe Cutmore & Team, Heycroft

Brooklands House Team (South), The Bristol Care Group

Divine Odibeze Ezeajughu, JandP Health Care Services

Johanna Shahsavari, Caldecott foundation

Roseview Team, Sevahomes Children’s Homes

Berecroft Team, Capital Children Homes

Colleen Teresa Ardley, PSS care group

The Children’s Home Team Award (Central)

Amy Self & Team, Ashwood Children Care Home Ltd

Charlotte Baynes, CR Children’s Care

Sam Watts & The Meadows, Cedars Childcare

Lincoln House, Connect Care

The Elms family, Lantern Care Homes

Dorchester House Team, Excel and Emerge Care Therapeutic Solutions

Ella Wade, First Blue

Ditchford House Team, GAC Family Services Ltd

Team Tilly, Prosperous Care Ltd

Willow House , Platform Childcare

Lucas House, Compass Children’s Homes

Burtone House, Homes2Inspire

Brightside House Team, T-Junction Children’s Services

Cherry Tree House, Watermead Care

The Foster Carer Award

Joanne & Mike Ainscow, Wigan Council

Dave and Chris Juneman, ISP Fostering

Alison and Francesco Manzi, TACT – The Adolescent and Children’s Trust

Jon and Ellen Evans, TACT – The Adolescent and Children’s Trust

Lyn and Jim Grennan , TACT – The Adolescent and Children’s Trust

Jorden Cooke, Staffordshire Social Services

Sandra Cornwall, TACT – The Adolescent and Children’s Trust

EPIC Fostering, EPIC Family CIC

Karl Haywood , Esland Care

David Page, Independent 

Julie Page, Independent 

Millie Smith, Wrexham Fostering Service

Angela Trott and Charlene Robson, TACT – The Adolescent and Children’s Trust

Pauline Ware, Wigan Council

The Biggest Impact Award (Individual)

Danni Adams, Blades Down CIC

Craig Arnold, Eden Children’s Care 

George Beesley, Next Stage 4 Life / CFS

Louise Davey, Devon County Council

Hannah Ellison, Looked After Children’s Home

Kieren Igbanoi, Strive and Succeed Ltd

James Melton-Royal, JMR Healthcare

Susie Palmer, The Aurora Group

Lyndsay Reddy, Inicio

Danielle Ross, Cambian group

Rachel Slawson, Keys Group

Jordan Stephen, AMMA Childcare Services

Nathan Sweet, LM Care Homes

Gareth Webb, Fair Ways

The Biggest Impact Award (Team)

23 Hart Street Team, Westmorland and Furness

Adullam High Peak Team, Adullam Homes Housing Association

Cherry House , Exceptional Care Ltd

Different Futures, Warwickshire Children’s Social Care

Essex Children in Care Council, Essex County Council

Fair Ways RiiSE Trauma-based Practice Programme, Fair Ways CBS Ltd

MockOfsted

Olivia Gallagher, Skylarks Charity

Red Flag Awareness

Serenity Welfare Team, Serenity Welfare

South Yorkshire Work to First Hearing Team, Cafcass

The Olive Connect 

Together Champions, Cafcass

Westby House, Coastal Path Care

The Wellbeing Award

Mark Costello , The Aurora group

Taiya Davies, SureCare Residential

Strengthening Families Team, Conwy Children’s Services

Tom Iliffe, Insight Wellbeing Services Ltd

BillieJo Kelsey, Emerge Care

Alesha Lalli, 5ab Care

Dana Molyneux, 5ab Care

Gloria Ocquaye, Emotion Dysregulation in Autism

Lucy Pearce, Fair Ways CBS Ltd

Jeannie Royal, JMT Healthcare

Ian Scragg, Forward Footsteps

Tuba Shah, Headway Health Group

Niki Smith, Children’s Health Scotland

Manchester Wellbeing Group, Kids Charity

The Safeguarding of Children Award

Tanya Byrne, Carlton Academy Trust

Ryan Dorman, Brighter Stays Ltd

Beata Dziechciarz, Northampton’s Children Trust

Louis House & Louis Haven Staff Team, Sunflower Children Care Services

Elise Howle, Honeycomb Group

Sarah Lorimer, Cafcass

Kim Mann Price, Bright Life Living

Helen Matthews, CYP FIRST

Savannah McNeill, Oasis Care Solutions NW LTD

Georgia Mittoo, Brightsky Youth Services

Pamela Onyeagusi, Rockstone Care Services

Lynette Ranson, Positive Directions

Gary Sayer, Insight Wellbeing Services Ltd

Maple View Team, WiNurture Childcare

The Children with Disabilities Award

Annie Hutchings, Tots Early Years Community

Brambles Team, Hollybank Trust

Buttons, Active Care Group

Children With Disabilities Team, Wigan Council

Crownhills Children’s Home, Haven Care Group

Disabled Children’s Teams, Barnsley Council

Free To Be Me and Francine Denton, Kids Charity

Gower House Staff Team, Innovative Care

Lindsay Metcalfe-Shaw, Cambian Group

Mawson House Staff Team, Involve Care Solutions

Norton Court, Active Care Group

Rai House, Paragroup

We are Juno CIC

Westborough Home, Salutem Care and Education

The Leaving Care Award

Carly Cherriman, 5ab Care

Logwood Children’s Home, IDEM LIVING

Forevercare Children’s Residential

Shirley Cowell – For Team Pheasants Corner, Next Step Independence

Cloudberry House Team, Thrive Support Services Ltd

Roseland House, Benecare LTD

Bethan Jenkinson, Timeout Homes

Care Leavers Team, Wigan Council

Granville Lodge, Active Care Group

Rob Mclean, New Horizons NW

Sebastian Moore, HM Treasury

Julie Mosspo, Prosperity Children’s Services

Scott Robinson, New Horizons

Ian Walker, Barnsley Children’s Services

The Partnership Working Award

B.E.S.T Project LTD

Danny McIntyre, Homes2inspire

Derrick Gordon, Headway Health Group

Dr Helena Dunbar, Kentown Support

Family Safeguarding Service, Wigan Council

Laura Richardson, Safe Hands Consultants

Parvez Qadir, Breaking Barriers Rochdale

Positive Directions AHP Team, Positive Directions Trauma Vanguard for Children and Young People

Strategic Partnership – NCT & Homes2inspire, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and Homes2inspire

The Warren Youth Project

Tom Grimmett-Mitchell, Helping Hands Care and Consultancy

Tracy Brookes, Grahams Consultants

Vicki Beevers, Sean Harris, Andy Peers, The Sleep Charity, Tees Valley Education, Zarach

Warda Mohamed, Lasting Support

 

The Children’s Champion Award

Miriam Masaud, ACC homes

Sofia Mahabir, Independent Care Specialist

Jamie Joinson ,Bayleaf Care LTD

Sam Jones, Blue Heart Care Group

Kauser Parveen, Care and Support Services

Voices That Influence Team, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Terri Sawley, Empowerment Charity Lancashire

Lee Weston, Believe & Achieve CIC

Elissa Stanton, Prospera Group Ltd

Awais Hussain, Stepping Stones

Dr Natalie Bennett, Witherslack Group

Nicola Ward, Illuminate Care Group

Debbie Richards, Havering Council

Marie Jevon, Include In Autism

Children and Families Social Worker Award

Nana Akwasi Yabbey Hagan, Redbridge Council

Natasha Bello, Bedfordshire Council

Angela Carter, Cafcass

Hannah Cawkwell, Wiltshire County Council

Claire Connop, City of Wolverhampton Council

Phoebe Hodges, Bristol City Council 

Faye Kirby, Cafcass

Ionut Neascu, Milton Keynes LA

Taren Newton, Wigan Council

Abi Osborne, Cafcass

Charlotte Owen, Wigan Council

Eric Sarfo Agyeman, PCC

Marie Smart, Torbay County Council

Social Work Survival Files (SWSF), London Borough of Hillingdon

The Supported Accommodation Award

Ruby Bleek, Safe Haven Accommodation

Fairview Care and Support

Max Carrington, Akela Future Living

Jodie Cox, Transitions Supported Living

Kirsty Gower, Forward footsteps

Safe Haven Supported Accommodation, Safe Haven Accommodation

Onyekachukwu Ifechkwide Chukwuma, Careboutique

Veeda Ikram, Avensis Support

Gemma Ingram, Salutem Care and Education

Hardip Kaur Basra, Dream big living LTD

Megan Rose, Ladders 2 Life Limited

Next Steps Support Services Team

Melissa Taylor + Christian Adams, Next Step Independence

Chris Venn, Next Step Independence

The Support Worker Award (North)

Lauren Baker, First4Care

Kieran Collyer, Solace For Children

Keevna Coyle, Prospera Group ltd

Ellie Evision, Quality Protects Children

Mauleen Griffith, Sheffield City Council

Callum Hall, A-Triangle

Kamile Jucyte, Orchard Childrens Home Ltd

Becky Kirk, Culina Roc

Funmi Mary Lawson, Cheery Blossom Supported Living

Misha McNeil, Oasis Care Solutions NW LTD

Lisa Motum, Aegis247

Kelly Shaw, ACC Homes

Ashley Smithson Hayes, Oasis Care Solutions 

Charlotte Watson, Resilience Care Homes

The Support Worker Award (South)

Emma Hancox, 5ab Care

Vicky Mensah , Beaming Homes Ltd

Helen Garrett, Focus Futures UK

Samson Oloyede, MJM Care Group

Kim Woolston, Montage Services

Lisa Guy, Next Wave Care Group

Elishia Robertson, Phoenix Learning and c=Care

Shannon Chandler, Sevello Children’s Homes

Ben Bellow, Sevello Children’s Homes

Lesley Clark, Whitetrees Residential

Peter Lambing, Whitetrees Residential

Keisha, Bluebird Care Portsmouth

Bayley Johns,The Foundation Project 

Mark Hyde, Sevello Children’s Homes

The Outstanding Contribution Award

Anna Angier, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust

David Bartlett , Keys Group

Anita Brown, Overley Hall Care Home and School

Julie Bucknall, Opus Care Group Ltd

Elaine Clare, Anchor social care

Kirsten Connor, Cafcass

Bridget Drew-Spyer, Next Step Independence

Marie Greenhalgh, Inclusion Education (Project Iris & Baton of Hope)

Samuel Jones, BCBC 

Fatima Kamara, Oasis Home Services

Michelle Louise Marlow, Kids Charity

Joseph Monaghan, Children’s Homes Consultancy

Andy Thompson, CYP FIRST

Hannah Winn, A Wilderness Way