Social workers recognised in New Year Honours
By Gemma Raw
A number of social workers in both children's and adults' services received awards in the New Year Honours 2022 list. The inclusion of several social care professionals in the Queen's New Year Honours list has been welcomed by many, including the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and Social Work England. Social work is demanding at the best of times. However, with staff shortages, funding issues and the consequences of an ageing population, not to mention the added pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, social workers today are facing unprecedented challenges.
Day in, day out, those in frontline social care roles and social care management are working hard to help protect the most vulnerable people in our society. By highlighting the vital work they do, the awards are not just not good news for the recipients, but also for the whole of the social care sector.
Children's social care leader
One of the most high-profile recipients of an award was Jenny Coles, a former president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, who received a CBE for her services to children's social care. Before retiring from a full-time social work role in August 2021, she spent 11 years as Director of Children's Services at Hertfordshire Council, where she was commended for introducing a best-practice family safeguarding model.
"Jenny is a true leader and an incredibly strong advocate for putting children's safeguarding needs first, " Hertfordshire executive member Teresa Heritage told Community Care. "This is such a welcome award for all those people who have worked for, and learned from, Jenny."
Mental health social work practitioner
Also honoured was Laurence McBreen, who worked as a mental health social work specialist in South Wales from 1972 to 2011. For over 20 years he was a member of Cardiff and Vale Action for Men's Health's emergency duty team.
"I'm very pleased with having been awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list – and would like to add that I know of many dedicated, hardworking and able social workers who could and should be similarly honoured," he said.
Other award recipients
Awards were given to several other social care professionals for their long-term public service, including social care consultant John Bolton (OBE), Young Lives vs Cancer social worker Simon Darby (MBE), Chief Social Care Officer for Wales Albert Heaney (CBE), Bridget Mongan, Director, Adult Services and Prison Healthcare, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (OBE), and Eddie O'Hara, Founding Chair of the All Birmingham Children's Charity (BEM).
In addition, frontline social worker Kiran Flynn was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a blog post to mark the beginning of a new year, Social Work England congratulated all the 2022 honours recipients. The organisation also thanked all social workers who have indicated that they want to return to practice, as well as all those currently practising in extremely challenging circumstances.
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