The Guardian's Public Service Awards for 2009 have recognised the hard work and achievements of people in social care jobs and public service around the country.

Awards are given for excellent performance in categories as varied as 'Frontline engagement', 'Citizenship and Volunteering', or 'Care of Older People'.

Those working in family support jobs found recognition in the carers, families and communities category. The Carers Direct organisation won this award for its combined information, advice and support services for those in social care jobs.

The Children and Young People award recognised both the efforts of people working in targeted social care jobs and those in community outreach programmes. The Mersey Fire And Rescue Services' Youth Engagement team won this category.
The runner up for this category was  the Children's Integrated Speech and Language Therapy Service for Hackney and the City. This service gives local children and young people in the Hackney area access to speech and language therapy jobs.

In the 'Complex Needs' category awards were given to those who excelled in meeting the often complicated demands of domiciliary care jobs and other support roles. Derwent Living's Butterfly Project won for its supported housing scheme for women fleeing domestic violence.

The awards are held annually and are sponsored by some of the most important institutions in the healthcare, public service and social work industries. As well as government organisations such as the Department of Health, sponsors include labour representatives Unison and consumer group The Institute of Customer Service.