Children's workforce recognised in birthday honours list

Srabani Sen was given an OBE for services to children and families, five years after being appointed as chief executive of the charity.

Paul Streets, the charity’s chair, said: "We are delighted at the news of this well-deserved honour.

Srabani is incredibly passionate about Contact a Family and the work it does supporting families with disabled children.”

Also honoured with an OBE are Catriona Ann Williams, chief executive of Children in Wales, and Jean Stogdon, co-founder and co-chair of Grandparents Plus. 

Carol Homden, chief executive of the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children, was awarded a CBE.

Action for Sick Children co-founder Pamela Alice Barnes was awarded an MBE as was Tracy Haycox, director of children and young people’s services at Safe@Last, the South Yorkshire-based charity that works with children and young people at risk of running away from home or care.

Haycox said: “I have a fantastic team behind me and I am very proud to work alongside such a dedicated group of people who give so much of themselves.

"I’m very passionate about making a difference to young runaways who often find themselves, through no fault of their own, in difficult and dangerous situations and I am humbled that my contribution has been recognised in this way.”

June O’Sullivan, the chief executive of London Early Years Foundation, received an MBE.

Among the other children’s professionals, carers and campaigners honoured by the Queen were West Sussex children’s carer and adoptive parent Gary Foster Barnes, who received an MBE.

Former chair of the Social Care Institute for Excellence Allan Bowman got a CBE for services to social care and former Action for Children chair Pamela Chesters was given the same honour for services to vulnerable children.

Among those honoured for services to education is Kenneth Gibson, executive head teacher of Harton Technology College, Jarrow School in South Tyneside and Academy 360 in Sunderland, who receives a knighthood.