A team within the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has won a national award.

The Reconnect: Care after Custody team was named 'Team of the Year, Adult Services' at the national Social Worker of the Year Awards.

The awards were established in 2006 by Beverley Williams MBE, an independent social work practitioner, to celebrate social work and promote positive stories from the profession.

Established in 2022, the Reconnect team consists of 20 individuals who provide support and release planning for up to 12 weeks prior to release from prison.

The team aims to improve continuity of care for vulnerable people leaving prison, supporting their transition to community-based services.

At any one time, they support an average of 200 people.

The team focuses on the "hopes, dreams, and aspirations" of individuals, supporting them in achieving their goals.

Upon receiving the award, Charlie Phillips from the Reconnect: Care After Custody team said: "This means so much.

"We’re a relatively new service at two years in, but we really pride ourselves in what we’ve been able to achieve across Lancashire and Cumbria.

"We have a diverse workforce which includes a variety of people with different backgrounds so to win this award is recognition of everyone on that team for the great work they’ve done to get us where we are today."

The Team of the Year, Adult Services Award was sponsored by trade union UNISON.

A spokesperson for UNISON said: "Congratulations to this year’s winner & finalists of the Team of the Year, Adult Services Award.

"Great teamwork, alongside high-quality professionalism is at the heart of excellent public service and social work.

"Social workers do vital work in supporting and protecting individuals and communities.

"We are really pleased that through these awards they are receiving some well-deserved recognition for the work they’ve done."