Hartlepool Borough Council is celebrating after one of the stalwarts of its adult social care service received a prestigious national award for a lifetime of commitment.
John Lovatt, the Council’s Assistant Director (Adult Social Care), was presented with the Silver Lifetime Achievement Award at the Social Worker of the Year Awards in Manchester.
This is the only major national awards event for social work in England, attracting hundreds of entries every year from over 150 councils and reaching millions of people with positive stories of outstanding social work.
The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates an individual who has dedicated their entire working life to social work and has consistently made a positive difference within their community.
John has worked in adult social care for Hartlepool Borough Council for over 30 years, in a variety of different roles including registration and inspection of care homes and as senior training officer in workforce development.
In his current post, which he has held for the last eight years, he oversees all the adult social care services commissioned by the Council and manages all the teams of staff.
John Lovatt (centre) is congratulated on his award by Councillor Gary Allen and Jill Harrison, the Council’s Executive Director of Adult Services and Public Health
John said: “This award is testament to the work that is done by all colleagues in adult social care, not just me – I work with a lot of people who are very driven and motivated to improve services and keep people safe.”
Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of the Council’s Adult Services and Public Health Committee, said: “Many congratulations to John on this very well-deserved award.
“His commitment, knowledge and experience are second-to-none, and this is matched by the care and compassion he shows every day in protecting and supporting Hartlepool’s most vulnerable residents.”