Awards for `Independent' journalists

Two journalists at The Independent and The Independent on Sunday have won awards for their reporting on social services.

Roger Dobson was named Journalist of the Year in the 1996 British Social Services Media Awards for his series of articles on child abuse scandals in North Wales. The judges praised Mr Dobson's "classic investigative reporting, excellent content, the digging-out mastery and presentation of a large volume of fact... A journalist who refused to give up".

The judges also highly commended Glenda Cooper for her coverage of care in the community, describing it as an "insightful and graphic account of the issues of the mentally ill in the community. It is hard not to be affected by her journalistic skills".

The awards, co-ordinated by the social services organisation, Jewish Care, were presented yesterday by Chris Smith, shadow health secretary.