Liverpool social worker wins National Lifetime Achievement award

A Senior Social Worker from Liverpool says she feels:- "honoured" after winning a:- 'National Lifetime Achievement Award' for her work with children and families.

Maria Moore, a Senior Social Worker and Practice Educator with Liverpool City Council, was named a finalist in the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025 and was successful, beating off stiff competition from across the country.

She was chosen for the award in recognition of her exceptional practice and commitment to making a difference to the lives of children and families as well as inspiring and nurturing the next generation of social workers in Liverpool.

Finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges, including:- previous award winners, social workers, sector leaders and people with lived experience of social work. The winners will be revealed at a special event in October at The Midland Hotel in Manchester.

Now in its 19th year, the Social Worker of the Year Awards is the only major national awards event for social work in England. It celebrates outstanding achievements in the profession and aims to improve public understanding of the challenging and rewarding work social workers do every day.

There are 18 Awards overall, with the winners chosen by the Board of Trustees from all the gold winning entries.

One colleague of Maria's described her as a:- "role model," saying:- "I am so grateful to have a mentor like her on our team. Maria has always been a role model to me, through her nurturing and kind nature towards others and in her practice as a social worker. We are very lucky to have Maria, and I can think of no better person who deserves this award."

For more information about the awards, visit the Social Work of the Year Awards website.

Maria said:- "I'm very honoured to receive the award, I'm proud of to be part of Children's Services and thank you to all my colleagues at Liverpool City Council for their support."

Cllr Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children's Social Services with Liverpool City Council, said:- "On behalf of the council, I want to congratulate Maria on this well-deserved award. Throughout her career, Maria has shown unwavering dedication, compassion, and professionalism in supporting children, young people, and families in Liverpool. This recognition is a testament to the lasting impact Maria has made in our community, and we are incredibly proud of her contribution."

Jenny Glennard, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services, said:- "I'm delighted that Maria has won this prestigious award. I am incredibly proud of the difference she makes every day and it's wonderful to see that her dedication is being recognised and celebrated at a national level."

British public backs further policies to make roads safer

NEW polling carried out by More in Common, on behalf of:- 'The Road Safety Trust,' shows widespread public support for many of the reported policies being considered by the Government in its upcoming:- 'Road Safety Strategy,' and appetite for further road safety legislation to protect young drivers.

Unveiling the findings at the annual UKROEd / NPCC Roads Policing Conference, on:- Wednesday, 22 October 2025, Paul Steinberg, Director of Communications and Engagement at:- 'The Road Safety Trust,' said the research demonstrates that the British public are ready for stronger action to make our roads safer.

Commissioned by the Trust and conducted by More in Common, the survey explores public attitudes towards key road safety measures, ahead of the Government's forthcoming National Road Safety Strategy; the 1st such strategy in a generation.

The majority of Britons support a range of policy measures:-

• 82% support mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70.
  

• 72% support the introduction of a phased licensing system for new drivers..
  

• Majorities also back lowering the drink drive limit (71%), tougher car safety standards (68%), and a:- 'Vision Zero' target of no deaths or serious injuries on the roads (64%).
  

• 86% of Britons say road safety is an important issue, spanning all ages and political groups.
  

• 48% think too little is being done to protect young drivers, rising to 58% among parents with children over the age of 16.

Paul Steinberg, Director of Communications and Engagement at The Road Safety Trust, said:- "This research shows that the British public have confidence in evidence based measures to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and want to see them implemented. For years, we have understood from experience and evaluation what works to make roads safer. What is new today is clear, nationwide evidence that the public supports those same measures. More in Common's findings come at an important moment, as the Government prepares to publish its long-awaited National Road Safety Strategy. They show a willing public and clear opportunity for action."

Alex Newton, Deputy Director of Strategy and Development at More in Common, added:- "We're used to working on issues that divide public opinion. Road safety stands out as an issue where there's a strong level of consensus. While support for certain policies varies by age, Britons across generations and voter groups want stronger action to make our roads safer and hold high expectations of the Government on this issue."

Strong public support for road safety measures... Ahead of the Government's upcoming road safety strategy, Britons express strong support for a range of measures reportedly being considered:-

• Mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70 - supported by 82% and opposed by 6%.
  

• Lowering the legal alcohol limit - supported by 71%, opposed by 11%.
  

• Requiring all new cars to include safety technology such as:- intelligent speed assistance and automatic emergency braking, supported by 68%, opposed by 11%.
  

• There is also majority support for Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), a phased licensing policy for young drivers that the Government is believed not to include in the road safety strategy. 72% support this, while 12% oppose it.
  

• Most Britons would also support a:- 'Vision Zero' target of no deaths or serious injuries - supported by 64%, opposed by 8%.
  

• Many Britons want greater protection for young drivers... 48% of Britons think too little is being done to reduce the risks faced by young drivers, rising to 58% among parents of children aged 16 or older.
  

• Younger people themselves are less likely to share this concern that:- only 27% of 18 to 24 year olds believe too little is being done, while a majority (54%) think enough is already being done.
  

• Road safety is a shared national concern... 86% of Britons say road safety is an important issue facing the country.
  

• Concern is high across political groups, with majorities in every voter group saying it is an important issue; highest among Labour supporters (93%).
  

• Concern is also consistent across age groups, from:- 85% of Gen Z Britons to 89% of those aged over 60.

The full research dataset can be accessed via:- MoreInCommon.Org.UK.

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