The Lighthouse, London’s Child House, has been named as the overall winner of the 2026 Picker Experience Network Awards (PEN Awards).
Led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), the service was recognised for its outstanding work to improve care for children who have experienced sexual abuse or exploitation. Its child-centred, trauma-informed model provides an alternative to fragmented care pathways.
Now in their 16th year, the PEN Awards are the leading celebration of excellence in patient experience and person centred care. The awards ceremony, which was held at the University of Birmingham on Thursday 1 October 2026, brought together colleagues from across health and social care internationally to recognise and share examples of great practice and innovation.
This year’s awards attracted entries from national, independent, and international organisations, with winners selected by an independent judging panel. Having scooped up two awards already in the Joined-Up Care Experience and Long-term Improvements in Experience of Care categories, The Lighthouse was named overall winner based on a combination of judges’ scores and votes on the day from attendees.
The Lighthouse is the UK’s first Barnahus (Child House) service, providing integrated support for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse or exploitation. Since opening in 2018, it has supported more than 3,000 children and families across North Central London. Over 80% of children access mental health support, while on-site video-recorded interviews and court-related services have improved access to justice and reduced the need for children to repeatedly recount traumatic experiences.
The model has delivered exceptional patient experience, with 99% of children and young people reporting that they felt listened to, respected, and well supported. An independent evaluation also estimated around £3 of future social and economic value for every £1 invested.
The Lighthouse initiative was among 18 outstanding projects recognised at this year’s awards, with all winners featured in a new report published by Picker, titled "Learning from the Best – celebrating patient experience innovations to help deliver the 10 Year Plan".
Dr Sara Lakin, clinical psychologist at The Lighthouse UCLH, said: “This award recognises the dedication and hard work of our whole team over many years. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and of the difference this work makes to the lives of children and young people. We remain passionate about continuing to deliver the holistic support every child deserves through this model, and about reaching even more children who have experienced sexual abuse, so they can access the care they need.”
Ruth Evans, founder of the PEN Awards, said: "The overall winner is an important piece of work that’s been sensitively handled. Sexual health and sexual abuse projects are few and far between as they are so difficult to discuss and be open about. The Lighthouse has managed to do this, and to bring in the voice of the patient, and has developed a model and a beacon for the future.
“The PEN Awards 2026 have been all about joy, connection and recognition. We have seen some fabulous projects and examples of best practice – and this was just the tip of the iceberg. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all who entered the awards and joined us at the ceremony.”
Chris Graham, CEO of Picker, said: “Every year, the PEN Awards inspire us with some incredible examples of teams and individuals transforming people’s experiences of care. We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners – but equally, I’m proud that the Awards provide a showcase for their work. What matters is not simply recognition, but making sure others can learn from best practice that may otherwise go unseen. The PEN Awards allow us to share new ideas and thinking, helping them to travel further and ultimately to improve more people’s experiences of care”.
Find out more about the 2026 PEN Awards winners here https://info.picker.org/picker-experience-network-awards-2026