TWO children’s service leaders have been awarded OBEs in the New Year’s Honours for transforming services for vulnerable and looked after children.

North Yorkshire County Council’s Judith Hay, assistant director for children and families, and Martin Kelly, head of children and young people’s resources, are among this year’s OBE recipients.

Ms Hay has been a social worker for 36 years, and took up her leadership post in the county seven years ago.

During this time, North Yorkshire has been recognised as one of the top social work services.

She said their work had been supported by leadership at the top of the county council.

“They have pushed innovation all the way and supported us in everything we have done. Everyone has been in it together to bring about these improvements.”

Mr Kelly has worked in social work for over 28 years, playing a leading role in the No Wrong Door service which has been rated outstanding by Ofsted.

The service replaces traditional council-run care homes with hubs which combine residential care with fostering along with on-site support from clinical psychologists.

He will continue to develop North Yorkshire’s children’s services when he takes up the post of assistant director from Ms Hay when she retires next March.

Mr Kelly said many organisations wanted to do the best for children but in North Yorkshire “we have a dogged determination to keep on track and never give up.

“We constantly challenge each other to make things better for our children and young people.”

In the last five years, the number of looked-after children has fallen by 20 per cent in the county, and more children are supported to live safely at home.