DEVON County Council’s (DCC) principal Occupational Therapist (OT) has been awarded the MBE for services to occupational therapy in adult social care.

The council says that Carolyne Hague has been ‘instrumental in promoting the vital contribution of occupational therapy in adult social care at a local, regional and national level’.

As OT and Chairman of the National Principal OT Network, Carolyne supports the development and delivery of the first OT degree level apprenticeships for occupational therapists in adult social care.

Carolyne said: ‘It is a real honour to receive this award.

‘I am excited that this is an acknowledgement and recognition of every single member of an occupational therapy team working in adult social care across the county doing great things to promote people’s wellbeing and independence and supporting people to remain safely in their homes, connected to their neighbourhoods and communities, for longer.

‘This award gives me and every occupational therapist a louder voice and influence to have even more impact locally, regionally and nationally.

‘That means so much more to me than the personal recognition’.

Cabinet Member for Adult’s Services, Cllr Richard Keeling, said: ‘Carolyne has put Devon on the map as a place that values skills and careers in professions that are focussed on working with people to help them thrive and live as independently as possible.

‘Devon really is a place that is nationally championing and leading in adult social care, and creating the opportunities for people to enter the social care workforce and make a positive difference to the lives of so many’.

Tandra Forster, Director of Integrated Adult Social Care at DCC, said: ‘This is such a well-deserved honour for Carolyne and we’re immensely proud.

‘Carolyne has been a powerful advocate and champion for occupational therapy; shining a bright light on this amazing profession and encouraging people to enter the profession through the introduction of degree level apprenticeships’.