ESSEX County Council’s Principal Social Worker for Adult Social Care has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours.

Dr Tanya Moore joined the council in 2023 from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, where she served as Research Lead and Social Work Doctorate Course Lead.

With more than three decades experience in social work, she has held roles in practice, leadership, education and academia.

Dr Moore was recognised in the King’s New Year Honours for her services to social work in the UK.

Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health and Integration, said: “Dr Tanya Moore’s recognition in the King’s New Year Honours is richly deserved and a source of immense pride for Essex.

“Since joining us, she has brought exceptional professional expertise and a powerful commitment to strengthening social work practice in the county.

“On behalf of the council, I send my warmest congratulation to Dr Moore on this outstanding achievement and thank her for the contribution she continues to make to social work in Essex and nationally.”

Dr Moore added: “It’s lovely to be recognised in this way and I’m proud to continue contributing to the development of social work practice. In Essex, we have hundreds of social workers who are out there making important contributions every day. This honour reflects the importance of our profession’s work and the impact we can make in our communities.”

During her career, Dr Moore has published peer reviewed papers and numerous articles and blogs on social work practice and leadership.

In addition, she has edited books on leadership in the public sector, social work practice and anti-racist social work.