Livewell’s award-winning social worker, Paul Caston was invited to a parliamentary reception held in Westminster as a representative for Devon.
Paul won a Gold Award at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025 for his work with the Plymouth Community Forensic Team, which supports and safely manages the behaviour of people with mental health conditions which may otherwise lead to contact with the criminal justice system or admission to a secure hospital.
All of the finalists of the Social Work Awards 2025, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and leading figures from across the world of social work, were formally invited by Sojan Joseph MP to attend the House of Commons, to discuss topics around how to initiate positive changes in government policy, to help empower and protect those who use social work services.
When asked about his experience, Paul Caston said: “This experience provided me with the valuable opportunity to reconnect with fellow award recipients and engage in meaningful discussions about the diverse applications of social work. My primary objective was to advocate for social work within the Mental Health sector, a field in which I have a deep passion.
“Despite the challenges posed by austerity, budget cuts, and limited resources – issues that complicate access to support for some of the most marginalised groups in our society – I was proud to share my experiences with the remarkable individuals I have had the privilege to meet and work with in the promotion of health and well-being. The reception was very keen to learn about the role of social work and how its practices intersect within a mental health setting, particularly given the success evidenced here at Livewell within the multi-disciplinary teams.”
Paul would like to extend his gratitude to everyone who has supported him throughout his journey as a newly qualified professional and is particularly honoured to have been nominated by Livewell, granting him the chance to represent not only the field of social work but also the entire south-west region and the outstanding work being conducted here.
