Awards given to social work and care professionals in Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List has highlighted those who have worked throughout the pandemic, including social workers and frontline community care workers.

Almost a quarter (23%) of recipients were recommended for COVID-19 service including those who have given charitable and voluntary support to communities, as well as service in health and social care.

Rob Mitchell, Principal Social Worker at Bradford Council, received an MBE for services to the social work profession. Throughout his career as a social worker, Robert has helped promote the voice of the elderly community, people with disabilities, as well as leading successful social work teams in different areas of practice. In 2019, Rob co-authored ‘Social Work, Cats and Rocket Science: Stories of Making a Difference in Social Work with Adults’ with Elaine James and Hannah Morgan.

Former Children’s Commissioner for England Anne Longfield also received a CBE for her services to children. Anne finished her term as Commissioner earlier this year, being in post since 2015. During her time as Commissioner, Anne campaigned tirelessly to promote the rights of children and said she felt “honoured” and “humbled” to receive the award.

Vic Rayner, CEO of the National Care Forum, received an OBE for services to the social care sector, saying she was “delighted” to have received the honour. Rayner’s achievements included leadership and representation for the not-for-profit care sector, alongside advocating for the wider interests of the country’s social care support.


“It is a privilege to work in a sector supporting millions of people to improve their quality of life and wellbeing,” Rayner said, adding: “The last year has shone a light on the social care sector and how instrumental it is and the enormous impact it makes to people’s lives.”


Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, received a CBE for services to the Voluntary Sector and Older People during COVID-19. Steph Harland, CEO at Age UK, commented: “Caroline has dedicated herself to making life better for older people” and that she has helped “make sure that older people are not being forgotten at this exceptionally difficult time.”


Andy Tilden also received an OBE for services to social work. Tilden was the former Director of Operations at Skills for Care and a trustee of the COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal. Colleagues praised his “huge contribution” in supporting employers to offer high quality learning and development to their workers.