A social worker who exposed child abuse and subsequently campaigned for survivors has been recognised for services to child protection in the New Year Honours.
The OBE for Liz Davies, emeritus professor of social work at London Metropolitan University (LMU), was among a clutch of honours for social workers and sector leaders in the 2026 list.
Also recognised were Essex County Council's principal social worker for adult social care, Tanya Moore, Gail Faulkner, former head of the children's social work service at Leeds City Council, and Skills for Care chief executive Oonagh Smyth.
OBE for social work who blew whistle on abuse
Davies worked as a senior social worker at the London Borough of Islington from 1986-92, during which time she investigated the abuse of children in the community and children's homes, finding that there was an organised network of child sexual exploitation.
She and colleagues compiled 15 reports for council management and the area child protection committee, but some of their investigations were closed down, she said.
The 1995 White report into the issue found no evidence of organised abuse but was heavily critical of the authority's handling of the allegations and the quality of practice and management at the time within social services.
In 2017, then council leader Richard Watts said children in the borough's care in the 1980s and 1990s had been subject to "terrible physical and mental abuse", for which he apologised.
Campaigning for survivors
Though she left Islington in 1992, working subsequently as a social work manager in Harrow and then an academic, Davies continued to campaign for and support survivors. Since 2014, she has co-ordinated the Islington Survivors Network.
Davies and the network were praised by Watts in his 2017 speech, in which he highlighted the support it provided to those who had been abused.
In a statement on her OBE, she said she was working with over 800 survivors to help them have their voices heard.
"I have spent 35 years seeking justice and healing for the survivors - but even now the struggle continues and battles are ongoing," she said. "If this award helps me be heard then I will have accepted it for very good reason because it is only when the perpetrators of crimes against children are brought to justice that children are effectively protected."
MBE for principal social worker
Essex council adults' PSW, Tanya Moore, was awarded an MBE for services to social work, on the back of a career lasting over 30 years that has combined practice, leadership and academia.
Before joining the authority, in 2023, she was research lead and social work doctorate course lead at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.
As well as publishing several academic papers on social work, she has edited a number of books, including on anti-racist activism, leadership and the PSW role.
Essex's cabinet member for children's services, adult social care, public health and integration, John Spence, said that, since joining the authority, Moore had brought "exceptional professional expertise and a powerful commitment to strengthening social work practice in the county".
Moore herself said: “It’s lovely to be recognised in this way and I’m proud to continue contributing to the development of social work practice."
Relational practice specialist recognised
Also recognised for contributions to social work was Gail Faulkner, who worked at Leeds City Council up to 2024, including as head of service for children's social work and head consultant for the Leeds Relational Practice Centre.
The centre works to help other local authorities embed relational and restorative practice, in line with Leeds's practice model.
After being awarded an OBE for services to children's social work, Faulkner, who is now retired, said: "I will be forever grateful to have worked for Leeds City Council and to have been led by people committed to relational work with families and communities.
"I have seen the best of public service from such amazing people and thank them for making my work so rewarding and such an honour."
Out of hours social worker receives medal
Another practitioner to be recognised was Sheena Harrison, out of hours social worker at North East Wales Foster Care Services (NEWFoCaS), who was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to young people in foster care.
"This honour reflects Sheena’s unwavering commitment and compassion, often at the most challenging times and outside of normal working hours," said NEWFoCaS.
"On behalf of everyone at NEWFoCaS, we also want to offer our warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Sheena for her exceptional contribution and continued dedication to public service."
Children's services leaders honoured
Several children's services leaders were also recognised in the New Year Honours, including:
- Carol Homden, chief executive of Coram, who was awarded a damehood for services to children and families.
- Claire Burgess, children's social care adviser, Local Government Association, who received a CBE for services to children's social care.
- Shazia Hussain, director of children's social care at the Department for Education (DfE), who was made a CBE for services to children and families.
- Debbie Jones, formerly director of children's services at Croydon Council, who also received a CBE for services to children and families.
- Heather Sandy, executive director of children's services at Lincolnshire County Council, who gained a CBE for services to education.
- Julie Firth, director of children's services, North Tyneside Council, who was made an OBE for services to children, families and young people.
- Anne Stoker, director of children and family services, Enfield Council, who was awarded an OBE for services to social work.
- Suzanne Griffiths, director, National Adoption Service and Foster Wales, who received an MBE for services to children's social care.
In Scotland, Kathleen Murray was awarded an OBE for services to children's hearings.
Skills for Care chief 'deeply humbled' by gong
Skills for Care chief executive Oonagh Smyth said she was "deeply humbled and profoundly grateful" to receive a CBE for services to adult social care in the 2026 honours.
Smyth has headed the workforce development body for adult social care in England since 2020, during which time she jointly led the development of a workforce strategy for the sector, published in 2024.
"I see this honour as being a recognition of the incredible work by the team at Skills for Care and across adult social care," Smyth added. "Every day, dedicated people come together with a shared purpose: to make life better for those who draw on care and support. That collective commitment is what drives real change, and I am proud to play a part in supporting that."
Adults' services honours
Smyth was among a host of figures from adult social care recognised in the honours list, alongside:
- Anna Selby, executive director of quality at care provider HC-One, who received an OBE for services to adult social care.
- Jason Bennett, head of adult services at Vale of Glamorgan Council, who was made an MBE for services to social care.
- Natasha Curry, deputy director of policy, The Nuffield Trust, who received an MBE for services to social care policy.
- Liz Fairhurst, executive lead member for adult social care and public health, Hampshire County Council, who was awarded an MBE for services to adult social care.
- Susan Watson, home manager at Pytchley Court Care Home, which is owned by HC-One, who also received an MBE for services to adult social care.
