MacAlister and Trowler recognised in King's New Year's Honours

Trowler, chief social worker for children and families at the Department for Education for the past decade, has been awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to children’s social care.

MacAlister, executive chair of Foundations – the What Works Centre for Children and Families, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to vulnerable children, which included chairing the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in England in 2021 and 2022.

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Several other children’s services leaders have been recognised in the King's New Year's Honours, including a CBE for Stephen Walker, director of strengthening families at Leeds City Council, an OBE for Sara Tough, executive director of children’s services at Norfolk Council, while Melanie John-Ross, service director for children’s social care and safeguarding at Barnsley Council, was awarded an officer of the order of the British empire (OBE).

Figures from the children’s charity sector were also honoured.

David Holmes, chief executive of Family Action, received a knighthood for services to children and families. Meanwhile, Louisa Mitchell, chief executive of the West London Zone, was awarded an MBE while Janet Legrand, chair of trustees at The Children’s Society, received an OBE.

Sector professionals recognised in the King’s New Years Honours include:

Knighthood:

• David Holmes, chief executive officer, Family Action

CBE:

• Isabelle Trowler, chief social worker for children and families, Department for Education

• Stephen Walker, director, strengthening families, Leeds City Council

OBE:

• Janet Kay, kinship carer, Kinship

• Professor Simon Kenny, national clinical director for children and young people, NHS England

• Janet Legrand, chair of trustees, The Children's Society

• Joshua MacAlister, chair, Independent Review of Children's Social Care and founder, Frontline

• Sara Tough, executive director, children's services, Norfolk County Council

• Richard Bottomley, headteacher, Bradford Alternative Provision Academy

• Tony Gallagher, chair of the National Youth Sector Advisory Board

MBE:

• Ivora Ferreira-Bean, team manager, Birmingham Children's Trust

• Susan Francis, principal educational psychologist and strategic lead for children and young people's emotional wellbeing and mental health, Enfield Council

• Geraldine Hills, founder, Manchester Parent Champions

• Susan Hornby, co-founder and head teacher, The Bridge School Malvern

• Lydia Ina, foster carer and founder, Gapolunya Foundation

• Azara Issifu, independent family group conference coordinator, London Borough of Camden

• Melanie John-Ross, service director, children's social care and safeguarding

• Charline King, head, children and young people's service, The Rathbone Society

• Louisa Mitchell, chief executive, West London Zone

• Lorraine Sanda, strategic director of people, Clackmannanshire Council

• Kathryn Morley, former chief executive of OnSide Youth Zones

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM):

• Llinos Edwards, nurse team leader, The Looked After Children Team, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

• Helen Walton, policy adviser, Rochdale Council