An Essex County Council leader has been recognised with a prestigious national honour for her outstanding contributions to social work.
A Prestigious Honour for Social Work Excellence
Dr Tanya Moore, the Principal Social Worker for Adult Social Care at Essex County Council, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours. The honour specifically acknowledges her distinguished services to social work across the United Kingdom.
Dr Moore joined the council in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her previous role at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. There, she served as the Research Lead and the Social Work Doctorate Course Lead. Her career in social work now spans more than three decades, encompassing practice, leadership, education, and academic research.
Recognition from Colleagues and a Personal Response
Councillor John Spence, the cabinet member responsible for children's services, adult social care, public health and integration, warmly congratulated Dr Moore. He stated that the honour was "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," Cllr Spence added. "On behalf of the council, I send my warmest congratulations to Dr Moore on this outstanding achievement and thank her for the contribution she continues to make to social work in Essex and nationally."
Responding to the award, Dr Moore said: "It’s lovely to be recognised in this way and I’m proud to continue contributing to the development of social work practice." She dedicated the honour to her colleagues, adding: "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."
A Career of Influence and Publication
Beyond her direct practice and leadership roles, Dr Moore has significantly influenced the profession through her written work. Her career includes publishing peer-reviewed papers and numerous articles and blogs focused on social work practice and leadership.
Furthermore, she has edited books on key topics including leadership in the public sector, social work practice, and anti-racist social work. This body of work underscores her commitment to advancing the profession's knowledge base and ethical standards.
The MBE award highlights the critical role of expert leadership in adult social care and celebrates a career dedicated to improving practice and supporting communities both locally in Essex and across the nation.
