Shropshire Adoption Service Chair recognised in Queen’s New Year Honours List

The Chair of Shropshire Council’s and Telford and Wrekin Council’s Joint Adoption Service, Mike Roughan has been awarded a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to children and the community in the Queen’s New Year Honours List 2017.

Mike, who has been the independent Chair for 11 years, joins a number of extraordinary people across the UK recognised for their achievements as part of the list which was published on 31 December 2016.

Mike said:

“I was surprised as well as delighted to receive my award. I greatly enjoy the role of Chair and get great pleasure from being able to help many people on the journey to complete their families.

“However, I am also keen to highlight the important part that all Adoption Panel Members play in supporting me as Chair as well as our experienced, reliable and caring adoption workers and support staff who successfully place children of all ages with safe and loving adoptive, families every day. I could not do it without their support and dedication.”

Councillor David Minnery, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

“This is an outstanding achievement and one which is thoroughly deserved. It recognises the tireless work that Mike has done and, together with the adoption service staff, continues to do to improve the lives of so many children.

“Providing children with permanent loving families where they can thrive and grow is work that has lifelong impact. This honour recognises the importance of that legacy and Mike’s part in making it happen.”

Highlighted as good in last years Ofsted, the joint adoption service strives to find the right homes for children needing an adoptive family, as well as offering an excellent service to adoptive parents.

Its priority is to find safe, stable and loving adoptive families who can meet the needs of the children in its care and this is something that the councils lead on.

Both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council have consistently been two of the very best performing Authorities in the UK, in achieving successful Adoptive Placements well within the required timescales. This is particularly significant when there continues to be national focus on “adoption being a too lengthy process”.