A WEST Belfast woman has been named Social Worker of the Year.
Danielle Finlay picked up the gong at the NI Health and Social Care Awards 2022.
Ms Finlay, who works for local charity Extern, won the award in her role as a frontline worker with the organisation’s Regional Homeless Support Team, which assists people with a range of often complex needs in the South-Eastern Trust area.
A former pupil at St Dominic’s Grammar School in Belfast, Ms Finlay, who has worked with Extern for more than seven years, was the only representative of the voluntary sector among the nominees.
Extern, which supports over 20,000 people across Ireland every year through a range of services, also took home the prizes for Volunteer of the Year and Supported Living Service of the Year at the awards.
Speaking after her win Ms Finlay said: “I am overwhelmed to have been named Social Worker of the Year.
"To be picked out of so many deserving finalists is truly an honour and says a great deal about the high calibre of the people who work in this field."
Danny McQuillan, CEO of Extern, said he was "proud" of Ms Finlay "and of all of our fantastic winners and shortlisted candidates at this year’s NI Health and Social Care awards".
