Across 10 award categories, the Inspire Justice Awards recognises the outstanding achievements of teams and individuals on whose expertise the justice system is so dependent:

Nominations are welcomed from across the community, including from colleagues of the inspirational teams and individuals that represent some of the best and brightest members of the wider justice workforce.

Nominations will be open for roughly two months, closing at 11.59pm on 8th August.

Following a rigorous judging process, finalists will be notified in September, before the winners are announced at a glittering awards ceremony held at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in November.

To nominate a team or individual in the wider justice workforce, who has made a valuable contribution to the sector, visit: www.skillsforjustice.org.uk/inspire-justice-awards

John Rogers is CEO of Skills for Justice – organisers of the Inspire Justice Awards. He comments:

“As the Sector Skills Council for Justice, Skills for Justice is a vocal champion of the wider justice workforce, and we are launching these awards to say ‘thank you’ to all those who have made a significant difference to the safety and security of our communities.”

National Officer for Policing and Probation at UNISON Ben Priestley comments:

“UNISON is delighted to be sponsoring the police staff and probation staff awards as part of the inaugural Inspire Justice Awards. Our police and probation members carry out vital work which keeps communities safe, apprehends those who have broken the law, brings them to justice and helps people on probation to turn their lives around. Now, more than ever, we need to acknowledge and celebrate the difficult, demanding and sometimes dangerous work that our members do. The Inspire Justice Awards give everyone in policing and probation, and those in the communities they serve, a chance to nominate someone special for one of these important awards. UNISON is proud to be involved on behalf of all of our police and probation members.”

Candace Miller is Managing Director of SFJ Awards – ‘Apprentice of the Year’ category sponsors. She comments:

“There are many people in truly important roles within our criminal justice sector, but they often go unnoticed. As the leading awarding and apprenticeship end-point assessment organisation for the justice sector, SFJ Awards is proud to support the Inspire Justice Awards and celebrate the skills and expertise of all involved.”

NAPO General Secretary Ian Lawrence adds:

“As the Trade Union and Professional Association for Probation and Family Court Staff, these awards give us an opportunity to highlight the work of all our members across NAPO and we welcome the opportunity to sponsor. Staff working in the justice system are often unrecognised and working in very difficult circumstances. The Inspire Justice Awards will give people a chance to nominate their colleagues, highlight the work that people do within the justice system, and we hope will be an opportunity to celebrate all staff carrying out vital public services within justice.”

The Inspire Justice Awards is the only UK awards programme celebrating the wider justice workforce. To find out more and nominate visit: www.skillsforjustice.org.uk/inspire-justice-awards