Social workers from Jewish Care have been officially recognised as “amazing” by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

As part of World Social Work Month, five of the charity’s team members have received the accolade as part of the Amazing Social Workers initiative, which celebrates positive contributions social workers have made to the people and communities they support.

Jackie Kramer, Alexis Bloom, Yvonne Levy, Tracy Ward and Paula Plaskow received the nod for their work with clients at Jewish Care, one of the only voluntary sector organisations to feature in the awards scheme.

Kramer is one of the charity’s social work and community support team managers; Bloom and Ward are part of the social work team; Levy is a senior social worker and Plaskow is the end of life and palliative care lead.

Kramer, whose focus is north-west and central London, told the JC that she was “delighted” to be recognised for making a difference to clients’ lives. “It is lovely, but there are 50 members in the community support and social work team, and they all make an amazing impact.”

Jackie Kramer, one of Jewish Care's social work and community support team managers

Kramer’s job involves enabling people to live in the community. She said: “We support people to live as independently as possible and to identify what is important to them. This could be increasing social engagement, future care planning and carer support.”

Paula Plaskow, Jewish Care's end of life & palliative care lead

Richard Shone, Jewish Care’s director of community services, volunteering, social work and hospitality, said: “Jewish Care is proud to see five of our amazing social workers celebrated.”

Yvonne Levy, a Jewish Care senior social worker

“They are just some of the inspiring and dedicated social workers in our team, who are providing care, support, advice and signposting in the community and their informal unpaid carers, across London and the southeast.

Alexis Bloom from Jewish Care's social work team

The Jewish Care social work teams support more than 1,300 people each week, liaising with agencies and other organisations and “advocating for the best outcomes”, said Shone.

This service, along with the Jewish Care Direct helpline, is entirely funded by charitable donations.

Tracy Ward, from Jewish Care's social work team

Jewish Care is one of the few voluntary organisations on the list that otherwise includes those working for the NHS, local councils or agencies.