A social worker's alternative New Year's Honours list

In the spirit of transparency, I should disclose that I have never really paid much attention to the New Year Honours list.

But when asked to compile my own alternative list, I can see some common themes in my choices. Firstly, I draw inspiration from those who are able to speak their truth to power, and those who use themselves as examples of the change they want to see – it is one thing to speak out, but another to make personal parts of your world public in the process. 

I’m also conscious that as a vocal intersectional feminist, a list from me was always going to be female-centric, so I hope that sits okay with everyone reading, but if not, maybe next year could be your year to write the list. 

In fact, when speaking to colleagues about this task, we considered how interesting it would be as an activity for social work students to identify those who inspire them, reflecting on why this is the case.  By sharing their lists with peers, they could learn so much about each other, and draw new knowledge and inspiration from each other’s choices… 

Grandma Jones and Grandma Pollock, for making me a feminist

I am lucky to have come from two working-class families with incredibly strong female leads. My two grandmas were very different women, who lived very different lives. Grandma Jones had seven children and Grandma Pollock just two. Their drive, determination, commitment to their families, and strength of character unites them, and I often find myself hoping that they are proud of me, and of the family they created. Like all of us, my identity is bound up in my early experiences, and I’ll always be proud to be a northern feminist with working class roots, and grateful to my grandmas for instilling this in me. 

These beautiful creations might seem trivial, but they unite our community, whether this be through sharing some Christmas joy, or respecting Armistice Day. It’s people like Debbie who remind us through their actions of the importance of community, that care doesn’t have to have a financial cost, and that little things matter.

There will be people all around the country, and indeed the world, who carry out little acts that hold community spirit within them, and I hope that by recognising one of them, others can feel some of that recognition too, because they are all so very important. 

Sarah Dennis, for ethical practice

I would love to nominate every person in my university department because each academic, researcher, practitioner, and expert by experience brings something to our team, but I have decided instead to choose just one person; the very fabulous Sarah Dennis. 

Sarah is both a lecturer and PhD student in the Department of Social Care and Social Work at Manchester Metropolitan University and I have the privilege of annually reviewing her PhD progress. 

As a child and family practitioner, with years of experience in court, Sarah supported many families through this daunting and intimidating process. As a result of her experience, Sarah’s research is centred on improving the court process for families, which in itself is worthy of a gong. 

It is her gentle but absolute and unwavering commitment to ethical practice and of respecting choice and promoting control for families that confirms my choice though… we could all do with a little more of that. 

Sam Baron, for supportive management

Professor Sam Baron is the national director of BASW Cymru, gong worthy in itself, but I also know Sam because she was one of my social work lecturers when I qualified as a practitioner and was then my head of department when I returned to academia.

As a manager Sam was incredibly supportive, never too busy to hear from her team and always keen to say ‘yes’ whenever she was able to. Sam for me has always had the admirable quality of being able to speak passionately on a subject, whilst retaining professionalism – a skill I’m still trying to master! 

Her letter to the Welsh First Minister requesting support to end the two-child benefit cap is the perfect example of this quality, and I know that Sam is in the right role to champion social work in Wales.

Gisèle Pelicot, for bravery

Although I’m sure Ms Pelicot would rather she was never in a position to be a global household name, her choice to waive her right to anonymity so that the court case against her husband could be reported in the media means that she has become one. 

Her determination to speak out against sexual abuse, and to actively use herself and the horrific abuse she has experienced to do so, is one of the bravest actions I have known. It feels somewhat trivial to honour her with a ‘gong’, but also very wrong not to acknowledge what she has sacrificed and what it represents for survivors now and in the future.  

‘Set six’, for being awesome

When I was a social work student at University of Salford we learned in action learning sets. My set was ‘set six’ and included a group of women who have become lifelong friends.

I’d like to honour them here for two reasons: firstly, because they are all awesome women and great friends. Together we have supported each other through many emotional life events.

But secondly because they represent regular social workers, like all of us, doing their best, in difficult circumstances, with no real recognition, every day, for the families they work with. Every social worker deserves a gong, we all make a difference. 

Unfortunately, I don’t know them all, but set six includes Vicky Foster, adoption team manager at Wigan Council; Vicki Winslow, cognitive behavioural therapist at Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service; Monica Villasenor, recruitment and assessment social worker at Tameside Fostering Team; Coleen George-Lowe, adoption support social worker at Adoption Counts Stockport, and the wonderful Tanya Ward, who is recently retired but will always have social work in her soul and continues to spread joy through her crafts. 

Wayne Reid, for anti-racist practice

As a member of BASW, I’m often in the presence of committed and passionate social workers, and I’d like to honour one of them, Wayne Reid, for his commitment to anti-racist practice. Wayne was the first ‘anti-racist visionary’ at BASW, and alongside his current role as professional officer, he is founder of the Black and Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium for BASW members. 

This symposium is a safe space for Black and ethnically minoritised social workers to share their experiences. Wayne has published extensively on anti-racist practice and has developed free resources for social workers and practice educators to facilitate their learning about how to be an anti-racist practitioner, something we all should be committed to being.

Janine McLaughlin, for practice education and development

Janine is employed by Bolton local authority and is the project lead for the Greater Manchester Social Work Academy. She is an incredibly hard-working social worker, who is committed to the social work profession, practice education and to practice development. 

Janine plans and coordinates events and CPD activities for practitioners across Greater Manchester with recent examples including a whole month of safeguarding practice research, a practice educator conference, World Social Work week. She is always enthusiastic and open to new ideas, often acting as the vital link between research and practice, so I’m really pleased to be able to show her some recognition by this nomination.

Simone Biles, for mental health

By openly sharing her struggles with her mental health, Simone utilised her platform as a world-renowned gymnast to help normalise the conversation around mental health, both in sport and more widely.

She has shown the next generation of women and girls that it is okay to ask for your need, to prioritise your own wellbeing and that doing so shouldn’t define your future. Although we do not all have the financial support to step away from our jobs, the message is still important, and it can help us to start conversations about mental health in the workplace.

Being more tuned into our own mental health can help us to recognise symptoms of burnout, what triggers to avoid and what we can do to support ourselves. It can also help us develop the confidence to advocate for ourselves, and ask for what we need from our leadership in a way we, as a profession, are so good at doing for the individuals and families we work with.

Zarah Sultana MP, for speaking truth to power

I know nominating MPs is always going to generate some disagreement, but I don’t think anyone can deny that Labour MP for Coventry Zarah takes full advantage of her position to speak her truth to power, and I think that is an admirable quality. 

Zarah frequently uses her social media platforms to share her thoughts on local, national, and global events, always championing the voices of minorities. Most recently she has been unequivocal in her support for those in and impacted by events in Palestine. 

What I think makes Zarah stand out from other vocal MPs is that she does not just focus on the opposition, she is prepared to challenge those in her own party, including the Prime Minister, and hold them to account. I think this is an important quality; it is often much harder to challenge those above us, or those we are close to, but it is equally important. 

Roy Havery, for sharing his story

Roy is a member of an expert by experience organisation called Focus on Involvement. Through this organisation, and its predecessors, Roy commits his time to sharing his complex life story and experiences with social work students to support their learning and preparation for practice.

Roy has dedicated decades of his life to this role and carries it out with both sharp and intelligent insight and the kindness and compassion we hope to instil in future social workers. 

Roy really does model the behaviours we expect from social work students, and without him and other experts by experience like him around the country, our profession would not be what it is. 

Social work students, for their commitment and hard work

It is not an easy time to be a student studying any subject, with the rising costs of just about everything, but to be a social work student in the current context is incredibly challenging. 

As readers will know, social work students must juggle many competing demands – their university work is another ball to be juggled alongside childcare, other caring responsibilities, multiple part-time jobs, and often long journeys via expensive public transport. 

In my opinion, and that of many others, social work bursary schemes across the UK are not adequate to support them and as the workforce of the future they deserve so much more. 

So, although I can’t offer them the financial support they need, I’d like to offer both a gong and my thanks to them, for continuing to be some of the most committed, hard-working and conscientious humans I’ve ever had the honour of working alongside. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. 

Sarah Pollock is senior lecturer in social work at Manchester Metropolitan University and co-chair of PSW’s editorial board