Durham DCS recognised in Queen's birthday honours

Shimmin, who took on the dual children’s and adults portfolio in Durham in August 2012, was awarded an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours for services to social care.

She was joined by education consultant John Dunford, who received his OBE for services to education. Dunford, author of a 2010 review into the role of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England, was appointed as the government’s pupil premium champion last year.

OBEs were also awarded to Alan Rushton, chair of trustees at post-adoption counselling charity PAC, and Thanos Morphitis, director of strategy and commissioning for children’s services at the London Borough of Islington.

Gary Buxton, chief executive of the Manchester-based Charity Young Advisors, was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to young people.

In addition, Rosina St James, former chair of the British Youth Council (BYC) was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the health and wellbeing of children and young people. St James retired as chair in September 2013 and continues to work as a community organiser while serving on the board of the National Youth Agency and Vinspired.

Current BYC chair Marc Kidson said: “Rosina is a fantastic role model and I am delighted she has been recognised in this way. The honours system must recognise the vast contributions of young people through volunteering and social action – and having contributed to BYC for two years Rosina continues to be a leader in this field."

Others to be recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours for their work with children and young people include:

OBE

• Marion Layberry, managing director, Safehouses Fostering Agency

MBE

• Carole Damper, chief executive, EC Roberts Centre, Portsmouth
• Sheenagh Davis, manager at the Hope Family Centre, Bromyard, Herefordshire
• Eileen Keeling, for services to children with special educational needs, Manchester
• Kelly Ann Alleyne, child protection officer at Ceop
• Ann Stuart, training manager for sexual offences and exploitation at the Metropolitan Police
• Hedi Argent, volunteer and former trustee at post-adoption counselling charity PAC

BEM

• Jaine Crompton, lead family support worker, Catch22, Merseyside
• Joanne Dalton, complex families lead worker, Manchester City Council
• George Fielding, chair, Whizz Kidz
• Veronica Fairley, deputy manager at Family Intervention Project, Nottingham