And now we have the Boston Consulting Group-founded and backed social work training scheme, Frontline, mounting what can only be construed as a rival awards scheme, clearly designed to promoting its own brand – and those of its corporate-philanthropic backers within the sector, a quite cynical move. (Interesting that the Social Work Awards have this year introduced an award for University Lecturers…)

Many will argue that there should be no problem with celebrating a misunderstood and maligned profession. It is hard to argue against something which is framed so positively, and critics are often cast as cynical naysayers. But any such celebration must surely avoid promoting the brands and interests of organisations that work counter to the interests of social workers and the people they hope and aim to support (see: https://link.medium.com/G0OMYKcTLyb). The entry of Frontline – backed by BCG which supports the Saudi regime and has been implicated in the alleged illegal aquisition of Angolan state assets, not to mention the scandal-prone Credit Suisse – into the awards arena further underscores the compromised position such corporately backed awards put our profession in. How. can we credibly advocate for a fairer society while allowing ourselves to be used to launder the images and reputations of organisations engaged in morally and ethically questionable activities that harm the interests of people in vulnerable and marginalised situations via such celebrations of social work?

It doesn’t have to be like this. Such celebrations should reflect the values, principles and missions of the profession, and certainly not serve the interests of private wealth.