‘Unsung heroes’ of social work and social care celebrated in New Year Honours

Social work and social care professionals at all levels of their career have been nominated as part of the New Year Honours list as part of more than 1,200 recipients.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said this year’s list focuses more on ‘unsung heroes’ and their ‘incredible contribution’ to communities across the UK.

“Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities,” he said, adding: “They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.”

Nurse and Social Worker Lorraine Gibson received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to older people with dementia and adults with learning disabilities in County Antrim; while colleague Cathy McCoy, Service Manager, was recognised for her voluntary service to homeless people in Belfast.

Writing on social media, Northern Health and Social Care Trust congratulated the ‘inspiring pair’, adding the announcement was a ‘fantastic way to mark the new year’.

Meanwhile, Elaine James, Head of Service, Learning Disabilities and Preparation for Adulthood at Bradford Metropolitan District Council, received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award for her services to social care.

James, one of the authors of ‘Social Work, Cats and Rocket Science’ and a previous winner of the Social Justice Advocate award at the Social Worker of the Year Awards, took to social media to congratulate colleagues in social work and social care.

“Congratulations to all social workers and social care colleagues who are recognised in the 2025 New Year's Honours. Thank you to those who supported me to join them as an MBE for services to social care,” she said.

Dr Dez Holmes, Strategic Director of the National Children's Bureau (NCB) and Director, Research in Practice was also recognised for her services to improving social care practice, but spoke of her ‘mixed emotions’ upon receiving the honour.

“I am extremely proud of the work we do at Research in Practice and across the National Children’s Bureau to support evidence-informed practice and policy, and I appreciate this recognition of the hard work and commitment of our brilliant team. I’m also grateful for the kind words and support I have received.

“However, it was not an easy decision to accept this MBE. I have no desire to be associated with the notion of ‘empire’ and all its painful, pernicious connotations. Far from being history, the racism and injustice that the empire represents continue to reverberate in today’s society. Black and Global Majority children, young people and adults continue to face discrimination, hostility and barriers to safety.

“In our work to support professionals across the country to do their difficult jobs well, and in our own organisation’s ongoing journey to become anti-racist, we see how structural racism affects every part of our sector and the lives of the people we serve. The urgent need for change is evident in multi-agency responses to exploitation; in how children’s identities are considered in safeguarding reviews; in the disproportionate rates of homelessness and poor mental health for racialised groups; and as a means of enabling social worker retention.”

In social care leadership, a number of Directors of Children’s and Adults’ services received awards. Florence Kroll, Director of Children Services, Royal Borough of Greenwich London, received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) gong. Kroll is the adolescent safeguarding lead for London Directors of Children’s Services and chairs the London Adolescent Safeguarding Overview Board; and also leads and champions Greenwich Council’s equality, diversity and inclusion work.

“I was absolutely delighted when I found out about my nomination for services to education. I am proud to accept this reward on behalf of all those colleagues I have worked with in the past and present. None of what we do is possible without the hard work of others. I have loved working with amazing, talented and dedicated people who strive for excellence with unwavering determination,” she said.

"Having the opportunity to repair difficult and traumatic children's experiences and doing all that we can to have make positive lasting memories for children is one of the greatest gifts and privileges. Whenever I have felt frustrated by something at work, a visit to a school or children's home lifts my spirits.”

North Yorkshire Council’s Corporate Director for Children and Young People, Stuart Carlton, also received a knighthood for his work and dedication in a career spanning 35 years.

Stuart played an integral role for the council leading in the Strengthening Families, Protecting Children programme, which has since been rolled out nationally. The programme is aimed at enabling children to stay at home in safe and stable family environments so that fewer young people need to be taken into care.

“I’m still in shock really, I just never expected that such a thing could happen,” Carlton said, adding: “It’s a huge honour and I feel very humbled to receive it.”

“Like all these awards, it’s built on a long career of service and the hard work and dedication of many other people that I have been truly privileged to work alongside. I thank each and every one of them.”

Also celebrated was Beverley Campbell, an advocate for kinship care, who received an MBE.

She has been a leader in the development of family participation initiatives, which has been instrumental engaging families with child welfare policies like the Independent Review of Children's Social Care and the Government's Kinship strategy.

“I feel so honoured to receive recognition for my work with Family Rights Group. Our charity is committed to supporting both parents and kinship carers involved in the child welfare system, helping keep children and families safely together. It is being a part of that which makes a significant difference to my professional and personal life,” she said.

Other recipients of awards include:
• Christopher Badger, Executive Director of Adult Care Services at Hertfordshire council, for services to adult social care.
• Kathryn Smith, Chief Executive of Social Care Institute for Excellence (Scie), for services to social care.
• Cheryl Ward, Group Chief Executive of Family Fund, for services to social care.
• Gillian Arukpe, Founder and Group Chief Executive, Social Interest Group and Chief Executive Officer, Penrose, for services to charity and mental health
• And many more.