A LEADING public servant has been made a CBE.

Michael Lauerman, 63, who works as a regional change advisor for the Department of Education and Skills, began his career in 1972 - changing paths from an engineer to work in the social services department for a local authority in Suffolk.

Moving up the career ladder, Mr Lauerman moved to Teesside in 1989 when he was appointed director of social services of the then Cleveland County Council.

At this stage in his career, he had the job of restoring confidence in the council as it was recovering from the Cleveland child abuse crisis.

Mr Lauerman said: "It had a high national profile and there had been a lot of criticism about what had happened.

"There were a lot of very good people there and it was a case of making sure it could get back on its feet again.

"We did a lot of work helping people feel confident again - both staff in the department and all the other organisations - voluntary organisations and also national.

"We did a lot of work with the Department of Health to get them to recognise that Cleveland was on the up."

In the early 1990s, Mr Lauerman was involved in implementing two pieces of legislation - the Community Care Act and the Children's Act .

After five years, he moved to Hartlepool Borough Council, where he was involved in setting up a new social services department.

Five years later, he was heading a national adoption task force in London.

Mr Lauerman is currently leading the development of the 'Every Child Matters: Change For Children' Government programme.

Speaking about his honour, Mr Lauerman, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, said: "I am highly delighted by it, but at the same time none of these things have been achieved on my own and I really feel respect for the many people I have worked with."