Social workers feature in honours list

Former Association of Directors of Adult Social Services president Jenny Owen has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for over 30 years of public service.

A trained social worker, she was president of Adass from 2009-10 and was also one of the co-authors of the national dementia strategy, published last year.

She was joined by former Association of Directors of Social Services president Tony Hunter, who was awarded an OBE for his services to social care. Hunter, also a trained social worker, is now chief executive of North East Lincolnshire Council.

Social worker and care regulation chief Jacquie Roberts was also awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for 40 years of service to the sector.

Roberts was given the award for her work in supporting vulnerable children and improving child protection in Dundee, as the city’s director of social work and as chief executive of Scottish care regulator the Care Commission, a position she has held since 2001.

Roberts said: “I hope that this is seen as an award for the very many conscientious and committed people who work in social care as much as it is for me.”

There was also an OBE for Pauline Thompson, an expert on community care finance and law, who was Age Concern’s policy adviser on community care. Kate Page, a former social worker, social and adult services director and council chief executive, received an MBE.

Top honours went to Professor Barbara Monroe, chief executive of St Christopher’s Hospice in south London, who was made a dame for her services to palliative care.

Also among those honoured were Ken Olisa, chair of Thames Reach, who was awarded an OBE for his work tackling homelessness; Susan Adams, director of Care and Repair for the charity’s work helping older people maintain their homes; and Mario Kreft, chief executive of industry representative body Care Forum Wales.

Several grass roots workers were also recognised including Pamela and Robert Noden, foster carers from Bradford, and Ralph and Terry Brent, foster carers from Lancashire, all awarded MBEs for there service to children and families.

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