Children’s services leaders recognised in King’s New Year Honours
Published in Children and Young People Now
Children's services professionals from across the UK have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Coram chief executive Carol Homden has been recognised in the New Year Honours
Carol Homden, chief executive of Coram, has been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to children and families.
Since taking the helm at Coram in 2007, Homden has overseen the expansion of the charity and established the Coram Institute for Children to support evidence-led policy and practice.
Professor Ivor Crewe, president and chair of the Coram board of trustees, said: “Without her energy, resourcefulness and dedication, Coram would not have developed into one of Britain’s leading children’s charities, committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children, however hard their circumstances.”
Several directors of children’s services (DCS) have also been recognised in this year’s honours.
Julie Firth, DCS at North Tyneside Council, has been awarded an OBE while Heather Sandy, executive DCS at Lincolnshire County Council, and Debbie Jones, former DCS at Croydon Council, have been awarded CBEs.
Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society, has been awarded an OBE.
Meanwhile, Neil Martin, chief executive of the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade, received a CBE for his service to young people, interfaith relations and Holocaust remembrance.
Alison Morton, chief executive of the Institute of Health Visiting, received an OBE for services to health visiting.
Others to receive awards for their work with children, young people and families include:
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
David Neil Robinson, co-founder, Discover Children's Story Centre
Jonathan Ashworth, for charitable advocacy work on behalf of children of alcoholics
Member of the Order of the British Empire
Clive Gritten, for services to children, young people and the community in Norfolk
Helen Bingham, early years practitioner, Aspire Academy Trust, St Austell, for services to early years education
Rebecca Bollands, head teacher, Earlson Primary School, Coventry, for services to cultural education
Mervin Cato, head of secondary behaviour support service at Enfield Council
Judith Charlesworth, lately chair or Barnet Special Education Trust
Eileen Clark, vice-chair, Pickwick Academy Trust Board, for services to education
Edison David, executive headteacher, Granton Primary School, London Borough of Lambeth
James Deane, founder, Sporting Family Change.
Medal of the Order of the British Empire
Philip Annis, volunteer, Downside Fisher Youth Club, London Borough of Southwark
Christine Foy, leader, Girlguiding, for services to young people in Epping
Emma Green, nursery manager, The Little Lane Nursery, Stamford, for services to early years education
Mark Greenhalgh, Volunteer, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, for services to young people in Nottingham
Sheena Harrison, duty social worker, North-East Wales Foster Care Services.