⭐ Winners of the Stars of CYP Awards 2025 Announced!

Blue Elephant Childcare demonstrates a strong commitment to a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing work environment. The organisation prioritises staff wellbeing and development, while promoting a culture of collaboration, respect, and excellence. By recognising each team member’s contribution and providing outstanding personal and professional growth opportunities, Blue Elephant Childcare sets a high standard for leadership and care, making it a truly exceptional place to work.

FABRIC Family are deserved winners for their exceptional commitment to team wellbeing, leadership, and culture. As a trauma-responsive provider, they prioritise conscious self-leadership, fair pay, and professional growth. Initiatives like leadership coaching, wellbeing hours, a rolling rota, and ‘FAB Fests’ foster a supportive, values-driven environment. With a focus on stability, recognition, and work-life harmony, FABRIC ensures their team feels valued and empowered—proving that even in lower-fee services, exceptional support leads to gold-standard outcomes for children.

Lisa and Ahmed have spent the past four years providing exceptional care for children aged 8–18 with mental health difficulties. Their unique provision offers equal opportunities and a full multidisciplinary team for thorough assessments. Dedicated to staff development, they fund nursing degrees, diplomas, and high-quality training. As hands-on managing directors, they regularly visit placements, attend children’s events, and deliver in-house training themselves. Passionate, friendly, and committed, Lisa and Ahmed truly deserve recognition for their remarkable work.

Sunita is a compassionate support worker who creates a safe, nurturing environment for children. Her patience, empathy, and personal connection with each child make her invaluable. Always calm and supportive, she prioritises their well-being, encouraging growth and celebrating achievements, making a lasting, positive impact on their lives every day.

Sophie has been a dedicated support worker for nearly two years, providing exceptional care and stability to a complex 8-year-old boy. She offers unwavering advocacy, continually developing her skills to meet his needs across health, education, and therapy. Sophie has given him security, love, and a safe relationship for the first time, playing a vital role in shaping his future. Her hard work, determination, and selflessness make her truly deserving of recognition.

Dean Mackin has dedicated nearly 24 years to The Bungalow at Care Afloat, caring for his 100th young person. His unwavering commitment, patience, and mentorship have created a safe, nurturing environment, profoundly impacting countless vulnerable children and inspiring colleagues with his long-term dedication to residential childcare.

Barbara has dedicated over 20 years as a support worker, improving countless lives through crisis support, training development, and holiday programmes. Known for her reliability and creativity, she advocates strongly for families and engages young people effectively. A standout success includes helping a young person with severe social anxiety engage in community activities. Praised by carers as “always there,” Barbara’s unwavering dedication and genuine care make her truly deserving of this award.

Amelia’s exceptional support helped a struggling young person regain joy and confidence within weeks, restoring daily smiles and laughter. Her dedication also uplifted the entire team’s morale and self-assurance, transforming the home environment. This profound, rapid impact on both resident and staff underscores why Amelia truly deserves recognition.

Ricci pours his heart and soul into his role, embodying love-led care and building genuine, trusting bonds—one child even calls him his “non-biological dad.” Bringing his dog to work adds therapeutic benefits for children and staff. Ricci consistently keeps his word, anticipates needs, and designs personalised plans with short- and long-term educational incentives. His patient, persistent keywork has driven remarkable improvements in children’s education, health, and resilience, making him truly deserving of this award.

Darryl is an exceptional Children’s Home Manager whose dedication and positive attitude create a warm, supportive environment for both children and staff. His strong relationships, leadership, and tireless commitment led to a successful Ofsted rating. Darryl’s hard work and passion for his role make him a deserving award candidate.

Lesley is a passionate leader with a deep understanding of the needs of young people. She has shaped her service to provide high-quality care in a therapeutically driven, family-centred environment. Lesley and her team are committed to seeking and listening to the voices of the young people they support, ensuring their input directly influences the care and decisions made. This approach fosters a truly inclusive, empathetic atmosphere where the well-being and development of each individual are prioritised.

An inspirational care team dedicated to supporting young people with complex trauma. They are child-focused, always going above and beyond, and provide exceptional support to both children and their families. Their commitment and compassion make a meaningful difference in the lives they touch every day.

Eversley House is an exceptional team, dedicated to creating a happy, family-like atmosphere where young people thrive. Their close support helps rebuild relationships, leading to remarkable outcomes—young people progressing in education, transitioning home, and gaining independence. The team’s unwavering love and commitment have earned them an Outstanding rating for eight years. Eversley House is truly a home away from home, where both staff and young people are valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

This team consistently supports a young person with complex challenges, giving them a real chance at life. Their teamwork, dedication, and resilience are truly incredible. Their unwavering commitment and exceptional care make them highly deserving of recognition for the positive impact they have every day.

The Birches team demonstrated exceptional dedication and care over many years, supporting a young person with neurodivergent needs to thrive in independence, communication, and social skills. They created a nurturing environment filled with meaningful activities and memories, ensuring a smooth, person-centred transition to a new home. Their collaborative approach with family and school exemplifies outstanding commitment to positive outcomes, making them truly deserving of recognition for their lasting impact and compassionate support.

Olivia joined the organisation with no prior care experience, seeking a purposeful career. Despite high staff turnover, she remained the sole constant Therapeutic Childcare Worker, demonstrating resilience, integrity, and dedication to the children and the home. Her compassionate and trustworthy approach helped build strong relationships, earning her a promotion to Senior. Olivia’s journey exemplifies how investing in newcomers can bring invaluable commitment and positive impact, making her an inspiring role model in the care sector.

Lea is a highly dedicated director whose exceptional leadership supports both staff and young people. He guides managers confidently through Ofsted inspections, invests in staff wellbeing and development, and went above and beyond during the pandemic to ensure safety. Lea fosters a positive, nurturing culture through charity involvement, mental health advocacy, and maintaining a safe environment. His approachable, therapeutic style creates a supportive atmosphere, making him a truly deserving recipient of the Dedicated Director Award.

Rachel exemplifies compassionate care, combining her personal experience and safeguarding expertise to create safe, nurturing homes. Her tireless dedication ensures children feel seen, heard, and at home. Through hard work and building passionate teams, she inspires many and makes a profound, positive impact on children’s lives.

Caine’s personal experience in the care system fuels his dedication to improving young people’s lives through his business. Committed to lasting impact, he leads innovative initiatives including a partnership with a local sports team, a Community Interest Company offering work experience, and expanding outreach services. Most notably, he is launching Sapling, a pioneering app to digitalise care plans, enabling collaboration among stakeholders. Caine’s vision is to create a connected digital community to enhance care and futures for young people.

Inclusive Sports 4 All is a school holiday club providing a safe, stimulating environment for children of all abilities. Led by Tom Floyd and a passionate, experienced team, they offer tailored support—including personal care—each half term. Families praise their dedication and inclusive approach, showcased in glowing testimonials and videos online.

Marc provided a safe, magical home for two frightened children experiencing care for the first time. His therapeutic, playful approach brought joy and comfort over Christmas, helping them feel seen and understood. Marc supported family reunification with empathy and patience, making a lasting, life-changing impact through his warmth and dedication.

Sue has cared for the child for over ten years, showing unwavering commitment despite many challenges. She works closely with multiple agencies to ensure the child’s safety and consistently receives praise from professionals for the high standard of care she provides. Sue recognises the child’s strengths and offers unconditional love. She has also completed numerous training courses to deepen her understanding of the child’s needs and to enhance her parenting approach, demonstrating dedication and compassion throughout.

Rachael is a dedicated, child-centred social work director who has built an outstanding agency from the ground up. With nearly two decades of experience, she tirelessly advocates for children, foster parents, and staff—often working 24/7 to ensure smooth, compassionate care. Her commitment has inspired loyalty from colleagues and foster carers alike. Rachael’s initiatives support teenagers and care leavers, and her long-standing relationships with young people reflect her lasting impact. She leads with heart, humour, and unwavering dedication.

Lewis goes above and beyond to prepare young people for life after care. He took two former residents on a holiday to Turkey, even including a friend to enhance the experience. His commitment, consistency, and clear boundaries helped transform their lives, creating lasting positive outcomes through care, support, and belief.

Mel is an exceptional leader at Next Step Independence, passionately advocating for young people transitioning into supported accommodation or independence. She expertly balances complex individual needs while ensuring no young person or team member falls short of their rights or potential. Mel consistently challenges the status quo to prioritise doing what’s right for young people. Her leadership, dedication, and ability to inspire positive change make her a true asset to the sector and deserving of wider recognition.

Danielle provides exceptional DSL supervision, bridging education and social care to improve outcomes for vulnerable children. Her reflective support, clarity, and collaborative approach empower staff and strengthen safeguarding practices. Her leadership has significantly increased MASH referral progression rates, earning praise from schools and senior colleagues for her dedication and impact.

Pete has transformed Holden Knight’s services, leading the registration of three (soon to be four) solo provision homes—each rated GOOD by Ofsted within a year. A knowledgeable, positive, and supportive leader, he uplifts staff and young people alike. No task is too big or small for Pete, and his dedication has been instrumental in giving vulnerable children a second chance at finding their forever homes. His impact on the organisation and its young people is truly remarkable.

Emma consistently demonstrates dedication, compassion, and resilience in her role. She prioritises children’s safety and wellbeing, builds trusting relationships, and advocates passionately for their futures. Her professionalism, empathy, and strong work ethic make her an invaluable support. Emma truly deserves recognition for her exceptional work.

Nicola has shown exceptional dedication supporting a young person’s move from long-term foster care to a residential school after the foster carer retired. She ensured a smooth, minimally disruptive transition by organising visits, involving the young person’s family, and providing consistent support—even working evenings and days off. Nicola’s personal involvement and commitment helped the young person settle well in their new home despite the challenges, and she continues to support ongoing relationships with the former foster carer.

Carl is a true Joy Maker, brightening every home with laughter, songs, and genuine warmth. His uplifting spirit brings smiles to every child he supports, even in the toughest times. We’re proud to have him on our team, spreading joy and leaving a lasting, positive impact wherever he goes.

James brings positivity, fun, and warmth to both the care team and young people, creating a joyful and supportive environment. His energy and humour make the home a happy place to live and work, contributing to a stable team for over two years. Jim’s creativity shines through in his exceptional newsletter, which captures the laughter, memories, and strong bonds he helps build with the young people, both past and present.

Abi is a dynamic and compassionate HR leader who has transformed staff well-being through advocacy, innovation, and unwavering support. From enhancing parental rights to championing mental health initiatives, her efforts have shaped a positive, inclusive workplace culture. Abi’s leadership makes her a truly deserving Head of People Award nominee.

Leanne deserves this award for her unwavering commitment, stability, and dedication during a time of significant change. She works tirelessly to improve services while valuing each employee as an individual. Her strong leadership and people-first approach have brought much-needed consistency and positivity, helping Reconstruct grow and better support children and young people.

Helen is an outstanding social worker known for her empathy, dedication, and high standards. She builds strong, trusting relationships and uses a strengths-based approach to support carers and children. Always going above and beyond, Helen’s work empowers carers to prioritise children’s well-being and advocate effectively for their needs.

Hyland Support Services deserves the award for their exceptional commitment to staff well-being, development, and retention. Since launching in December 2023, they’ve grown from 3 to 25 team members without losing any full-time staff. With a waiting list of applicants and no need to advertise roles, their focus on empathy, human connection, and professional growth has created a highly valued and supportive work environment, reflected in the outstanding feedback received from their dedicated team.

Keith is a dedicated tutor and mentor whose child-centred, compassionate approach transforms young lives. With unwavering commitment, he builds trusted relationships, supports emotional development, and empowers students to succeed. Keith consistently goes the extra mile, achieving remarkable outcomes with complex cases, making him a truly valued and inspirational member of the team.

Hannah is an inspiring Learning Lead whose unwavering dedication transforms young lives. She gives 110% every day, whether in school, at home, or even on holiday, always putting her students first. Her tailored approach helps young people achieve life-changing milestones, including reading, writing, and gaining qualifications they once believed were out of reach. Her passion, commitment, and collaborative work with staff ensure the best outcomes for every child, making her an invaluable part of the Quality Protects Children team.

Laura is the heart of Grahams, going above and beyond in her role as Office/HR Manager. Her positive attitude, versatility, and dedication keep everything running smoothly. Known for her open-door policy, tireless work ethic, and “can-do” spirit, Laura is a true team player and an invaluable asset to the organisation.

Debbie Hodgson is an exceptional administrator who consistently goes above and beyond to support both children and the service. She embraces change with ease, works extra hours for emergency placements, and actively contributes valuable ideas in team meetings. Debbie’s deep understanding of each child’s needs and her commitment to personal growth help her mentor new staff, ensuring the team provides the best possible care. Her dedication fosters a positive, nurturing environment for both staff and children.

Aimee is a truly exceptional leader whose dedication, passion, and resilience have transformed countless lives. With a calm, solution-focused approach, she de-escalates crises and ensures children’s needs are met. Aimee leads with empathy, integrity, and hands-on support, fostering mutual respect, empowering her team, and advocating for positive outcomes.

Billy Mulvaney has dedicated his life to improving children’s social care, leveraging his personal experience as a looked-after child. With his own Ofsted-regulated services and a proven track record of excellence, Billy is an outstanding senior leader and national consultant. His passion for ensuring high-quality services and supporting children to thrive shines through his work, making him a truly inspiring figure in the sector.