Nora Milnes Award

I attended a conversation session as part of Edinburgh University's centenary celebrations of social work teaching there.

The guest was Professor Jane Aldgate OBE with whom I had worked when in the Scottish Government.  there was a wide ranging audience of social worker, academics and officials such as the Chief Social Work Adviser to the Scottish Government.

Jane had a wide range of stories and observations over the past 40+ years and there was a thoughtful discussion of trends, challenges and opportunities and her various research and publications. 

Her three main achievements in her mind were her work on kinship care; implementation of the 1989 Children Act in England; and Getting it Right for Every Child which she continues to believe is a powerful force for good for children and young people and their rights.  She is also a strong advocate of the children's hearings system and the approach in Scotland to children and young people.

At the end of the event Jane was presented - much to her surprise  - with the Nora Milnes award for her contribution to social work.

I'll just have to tell her in future when she get awards to hold the trophy the right way round!