And the National Children & Young People Awesome Administrator Award goes to…

Debbie Hodgson, Administrator for our children’s services, Orchard Court and Brambles, proudly took home The Awesome Administrator award at the National Children & Young People Awards (CYP Awards) hosted by Care Talk Magazine last week.

Every year, there are a variety of categories available for nomination that represent all areas of the workforce – all with the common thread of elevating the role of leadership, innovation and responsibility among children and young people.

Shannon Sweeney, Home Manager at Orchard Court who works closely with winner Debbie, commented:

“Debbie is kind, approachable, and always ready to support others. She goes the extra mile to meet the needs of children, ensuring they feel safe and valued. A positive role model, Debbie actively looks for ways to enhance services, support staff, and promote mental wellbeing across the team. She works closely with managers, offering reliable support, and even steps onto the floor when needed to strengthen her understanding of the children and their needs.”

We were also delighted to congratulate each and every one of our finalists and winners across different categories; Ailsa Moore, Shannon Sweeney, and Georgie Robertshaw made it to the finals in other categories!

These unique awards celebrate excellence in care for children, young people and let’s not forget their families, because what makes working in social care so meaningful is the positive impact each team member’s work has on not just the individuals who are being directly supported, but all those who are connected to that individual too.

The CYP Awards recognise accomplishments at all levels and from across the whole of the social care sector, including services for older people, people with learning disabilities and/or autism and children, young people and families. The awards give members of a team the chance to put those who shine in their roles every day the chance to shine even more in the spotlight of the stage – and receive a shiny trophy too!

What enlivened the awards presentation part of the evening this year even more was that each of the winners received their award on stage from none other than Ryan Thomas.

Below, we chat to Debbie about winning the award and her experiences of working at Hollybank Trust.

1. Hi Debbie! Congrats on winning the award! How did it feel to win and how was the awards ceremony?

I felt incredibly proud – not just for myself, but for my whole team. We work so hard every day, and to have that recognised in such a public way was really special.

The evening was amazing I felt honoured to be representing Hollybank and the children’s services Orchard Court and Brambles. It was great to be surrounded by so many passionate and dedicated people in the children’s care sector. There was such a positive atmosphere, and it was a real celebration of the work we all do. I left feeling inspired and even more motivated.

2. How long have you worked at Hollybank and could you tell us a bit more about your role?

I’ve been with Hollybank for five years now. It’s been a really rewarding journey during my time here in various roles.

My current role as Administrator for our children’s services is incredibly varied, which is one of the things I love about it. No two weeks are ever quite the same! I support administration duties across both services for the children with disabilities. There’s also a lot of collaboration with families, healthcare professionals, and of course, my fantastic colleagues.

3. What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone considering a role similar to yours working with people with disabilities?

This work requires patience, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference in someone’s life. The rewards are incredible, but it’s important to understand that it takes commitment and heart. If you’re willing to show up with those qualities, you’ll find it deeply fulfilling.

4. Kind, Happy, Confident and Curious are Hollybank’s four Be Someone Values. Could you give some examples of how your team demonstrates these values?

Kind really stands out – we support each other constantly, whether it’s stepping in during a busy shift or just checking in on how someone’s doing. We create a space where everyone feels valued and cared for.

We show Happy through the relationships we build—there’s always laughter, shared moments, and celebration of even the small wins.

Confident comes through in how we advocate for the people we support. We speak up, challenge stigma, and ensure their voices are heard.

And Curious – that’s about always looking for new ways to improve, whether it’s through training, creative activities, or finding better ways to communicate with the individuals we support.

Thank you Debbie!

Moments like these remind us why we celebrate achievements – not just for the trophies but for the passion, commitment, and positive impact individuals like Debbie, Ailsa, Shannon and Georgie bring to the world.