Smith, DCS at Derby City Council, received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
Former chair of Birmingham Children’s Trust Andrew Christie was knighted in the honours, for 50 years of service to the sector and for "driving national change in securing permanence for vulnerable children".
Christie, who was awarded a CBE in 2017, improved the trust’s Ofsted rating from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ between 2016 and 2020.
He also reorganised the troubled Northamptonshire Council Children’s Services, and was appointed chair of the National Adoption Leadership Board, driving up adoption approval numbers.
Smith, the 2024/5 ADCS president, a qualified social worker and former child in care, said he was “truly humbled” to receive his honour, adding: “This recognition is not just for me, but for all my colleagues who work tirelessly to make a real difference in the lives of our children every single day.
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