The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has announced that its Chief Executive, Kathryn Smith, has received her Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal at a prestigious investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle on 13 May.
Kathryn was awarded the honour for Services to Social Care in His Majesty the King’s New Year Honours List 2025, recognising her long-standing dedication and leadership in social care since 1989.
Kathryn attended the ceremony with her family, where she was formally presented with the OBE medal in recognition of her outstanding contribution to social care over three decades, including roles in both the voluntary and statutory sectors.
Since joining SCIE as Chief Executive in 2020, Kathryn has led the organisation through a period of transformation, advocating for innovation, co-production, and evidence-based practice in the improvement of care and support services.
Reflecting on the ceremony, Kathryn said: “It was a privilege to attend Windsor Castle today and receive this honour. I joined the sector to make a difference, confident that I had something valuable to contribute. Over that time, I have worked in a range of roles all connected by a common purpose: to improve lives.
“While the OBE is awarded to me personally, I see it as a tribute to everyone who works tirelessly in social care, especially the people who draw on care and support, their families, carers, and the dedicated workforce. I feel incredibly proud to be part of a sector that, despite immense challenges, continues to be driven by compassion, resilience, and determination.
“This recognition only deepens my commitment to working collaboratively across the sector to ensure social care is not only respected and understood but properly resourced and prioritised for the future.”
