Pembrokeshire County Council’s children’s social services received a certificate of recognition for being finalists in the recent Children and Young People Now Awards, 2015.

The ceremony - at the Hurlingham Club in London - was hosted by Cerrie Burnell, the children’s author and presenter for BBC children’s channel CBeebies.

Opening the event, CYP Now editor-in-chief Ravi Chandiramani said the 2015 awards had been the most keenly contested yet with a record number of entries, up 28 per cent on last year alone.

He added: “Tonight we are surrounded by people who look beyond any professional silos and are all united by the desire and determination to do the best for children and young people, whatever that takes.”

The council submitted its supper club project in the ‘Leaving Care’ category.

The scheme supports young care leavers by giving them direct access to personal assistants, support agencies and practical help.

At the heart of the scheme is a supper club which allows young care leavers to meet up and access services and has become a forum for young people to discuss their wishes and needs.

County Clr. Sue Perkins, cabinet member for education and safeguarding, said “This has been a fantastic year for us in terms of children’s social services recognition by external organisations.

“Yet again the work of the supper club members and staff has been recognised and it is a credit to their hard work and commitment.”

The supper club has been shortlisted three times for awards, finishing sole runner up in the 2015 Care Council for Wales Accolades.