Social workers across the UK celebrated in Queen's Jubilee Honours

The Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List 2022 marks the public service of individuals across the UK in celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 years of service, including social work practitioners, leaders and academics.

In tribute to The Queen, recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular for sustained public service, the environment and sustainability, and youth engagement.

In the social work sector, Jill Manthorpe – currently Professor of Social Work at King's College London and Director of the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce – received a CBE for services to Social Work and Social Care Research. Jill is also visiting Professor at the University of Melbourne & National University of Singapore.

Now involved in advisory work for the Department of Health and Social Care and working closely with several social care and health sector employers to link research, policy and practice, Jill has advanced the social work sector with 20 years of pioneering research in academia.

Social work ‘champion’ Karen Cook received an OBE for services to the social work profession. Karen, who was Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust’s Lead Social Worker, was described as “a much respected member of staff” who worked for the Trust for 15 years before moving onto to a new national role where she continues to support mental health and social work in the NHS.

“I am so grateful for my 15 years at CNWL and especially my last 5 years as the Head of Social Work and Social Care/Safeguarding Adult Lead,” Karen said. “I have valued the commitment to working in partnership within CNWL – with people who use services, their carers, local communities and partner agencies including local authorities. I wish everyone well for the future and keeping the people we serve at the heart of everything we do. I will miss my colleagues greatly - many of whom I now class as my friends.”

Dawn Shaw, currently Chief Executive of the NI Guardian Ad Litem Agency, was recognised with an OBE for services to Social Work in the Voluntary and Community Sector.

Dawn set up Action for Children Northern Ireland in the year 2000 and oversaw many landmark moments in her 19 years of service for the charity, such as the creation of numerous SureStart centres and two royal visits.

Writing on Twitter, the charity said: “We are delighted by the news that former National Director Dawn Shaw has been awarded an OBE in the #JubileeBirthdayHonoursList”

“Dawn set up Action for Children in Northern Ireland and built up many of the services that we still run today. Her commitment to our organisation has allowed us to help thousands of children, young people and families over the years and we send her many congratulations on this hugely deserved honour.”

Central Befordshire Council social worker, Emma Cox, whose service to Child and Family Social Work and to Voluntary Work Overseas was also recognised in the honours.

Emma co-founded Humanitas, an organisation to help orphaned children and children in poverty across the world. After meeting volunteer Sarah Wade in Romania in 2001, the pair set up the Romanian Relief charity to assist and protect the long-term emotional, physical, and psychological development of abandoned and orphaned children. In 2012, the Romanian Relief charity merged with the charity F.R.O.D.O to create Humanitas.

The Queen’s Honour comes after Emma was named Gold Winner in the Championing Social Work Values category at the Social Worker of the Year Awards in 2019.