A local democracy reporter will face national competition at a new awards scheme celebrating high quality journalism about social work.

Richard Youle has been shortlisted in the Mainstream Print News category at the British Association of Social Workers’ Social Work Journalism Awards 2023.

Richard, pictured, covers Swansea and Carmarthenshire for Wales Online under the BBC-funded scheme.

He won his nomination for an article highlighting the millions of pounds spent on agency social workers in Wales.

In the category, he faces competition from The Guardian’s Rachel Hall and Jamie Robertson, of Channel 4 News.

Dr Ruth Allen, chief executive of BASW, said: “The BASW Social Work Journalism Awards aim to celebrate responsible and accurate journalism across the UK and to encourage thought-provoking, informed and creative reporting of our profession.

“We had some strong entries and nominations in this inaugural year of the awards and the journalists on the shortlist deserve to be praised and recognised for their work.”

Shortlisted journalists will be invited to an award ceremony reception to be held at BASW’s annual conference on 13 June.