Melanie Henwood, who has worked in social care research for more than twenty five years and is Vice Chair of the GSCC, was awarded an OBE for her services to social care. Ms Henwood, a consultant on social care issues, was appointed as a lay Council member of the GSCC in 2002 and became the Vice Chair in November 2008. The Council oversees the work of the GSCC, the regulator of social workers and social work students and their education and training.

Commenting on her OBE, Ms Henwood said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured at receiving an OBE. Social care is often one of the forgotten public services despite the growing number of people who use it. I hope this award will highlight not just my work in this field but that of the hundreds of thousands of dedicated social workers and social care workers who provide high quality services.”

David Prince, who also sits on the Council, received a CBE for his services to local government. He was appointed as a GSCC Council member in September 2007. He was formerly the Chief Executive of the Standards Board for England with a life-long career in local government and regulatory bodies.

Congratulating Melanie and David on their awards, Rosie Varley, Chair of the GSCC, said: “I am delighted that two of our Council members have been publicly acknowledged in this way. It is a great boost to social care at a time when the profession is under intense scrutiny in the media and elsewhere. Melanie and David are each making an enormous contribution to public protection by ensuring that social workers adhere to the highest standards.”