New Year honours list recognises social care professionals

A social work academic whose research on adoption has helped improve practice is among a host of social care professionals recognised in the New Year honours list.

Professor Julie Selwyn, director of the Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care studies at Bristol University, was awarded a CBE for services to adoption and looked-after children.

Selwyn, a member of the adoption leadership board, joined Bristol University in 1993 after 20 years working as a children and families social worker. The university said her research on adoption and fostering had strengthened social work’s knowledge base and helped to change practice.

Professor Selwyn said: “This is a tremendous honour and while the focus is on my work, research is always a team effort and my thanks must go to the researchers who have worked alongside me helping to produce high quality research outputs.”

Other awards

Other social care professionals recognised in the honours list included Sandra Keene, former director of adult services at Leeds City Council and Dr Adrienne Cooper, former director of adult services at Sutton council.

Keene, a past president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, was awarded a CBE for services to social care. Dr Cooper was awarded an OBE for services to adult social services.

The honours list also recognised the contribution of several social care professionals working in the voluntary sector.

John Cameron, a former child protection social worker who heads up the NSPCC’s helplines, was awarded an OBE for services to child protection. Robin Douglas, the chair of the Who Cares Trust, was awarded an OBE for services to children and young people.

Hugh Thornbery, a qualified social worker who is chief executive of Adoption UK, was awarded a CBE for services to children and families and David Lane, the former vice-president of the professional association for childcare and early years, was awarded a CBE for services to childcare and social work.

Helen Macpherson Young Wilcox, vice-chair of Skills for Care, was awarded an MBE for services to social care.

Foster carers were also recognised. Jackie and Clifford Bennett in Wolverhampton, Jackie Barnett in Hertfordshire, Kathleen and Philip Bennett in Peterborough and Patrice Thomas in Brent were just a few awarded MBEs.

Recipients of awards for their work in social care and related fields include:

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Professor Julie Selwyn, director, Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies, Bristol University. For services to adoption and children’s social care.
• Sandie Keene, former director of adult social services, Leeds City Council, and past president of ADASS. For services to social care.
• David Lane, former vice president of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years. For services to childcare and social work.
• Hugh Thornbery, chief executive of Adoption UK. For services to children and families.
• Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind. For services to mental health.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• John Cameron. head of helplines, Child Protection Operations, NSPCC. For services to child protection.
• Dr Adrienne Cooper, strategic director for adult social services, housing and health, Sutton Borough Council. For services to adult social services.
• Robin Douglas, chair of trustees, The Who Cares? Trust. For services to children and young people.
• Michelle Mitchell, chief executive, Multiple Sclerosis Society. For services to older people and the voluntary sector.
• Lynn Chesterman, trustee and former chief executive, Grandparents Plus. For services to children and families.
• Sue Pettigrew, director, St Michael’s Fellowship. For services to children and families.
• Janet Rees, co-founder Foster Care Associates. For services to children and families.
• Peter Rogers, director of operations and quality, 4Children. For services to children and families and voluntary service to young people.
• Daljit Lally, deputy chief executive, Northumberland County Council and joint executive director, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. For services to integrated care.

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Helen Macpherson Young Wilcox, vice-chair, Skills for Care. For services to social care.
• Dolores Bray-Ash, chair of the early years network Tower Hamlets. For services to children and families.
• Michael Josephson, north-west divisional vice president, NSPCC. For services to children.
• Janet Leach, head of disabled children’s services, Enfield council. For services to children with special educational needs.
• Enza Smith, founder, Kinship Carers UK. For services to children and families.
• Janet Burns, chair, National Dignity Council. For services for the promotion of dignity in care for all.
• Wendy Penelope Maxwell, founder, Chill4Us Carers. For services to carers.
• Graeme Kendal Whippy, senior manager, group disability programme, Lloyds Banking Group. For services to people with dementia and disabilities.