THE Queen has honoured a Johnstone woman who has dedicated her working life to the protection of children.

Maureen Bell has been made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, marking her long-standing contribution to influencing the work of professionals in supporting children and their families.

She is currently a lecturer in child protection and a programme leader for the postgraduate certificate in child protection at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS).

Maureen has contributed to a range of educational programmes provided by UWS on subjects relating to child protection.

In 2007, she was appointed to the post of nurse consultant for vulnerable children, a joint appointment with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and UWS. 

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With 37 years, from 1981 to 2018, at NHS Ayrshire and Arran under her belt, Maureen’s career has included roles as a nurse, midwife, health visitor and latterly as a designated nurse and nurse consultant for child protection.

In 2013, she received an award from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust which enabled her to travel to Victoria, Australia, to observe and explore practices and services for vulnerable children and young people, becoming a Fellow in 2014.

Maureen said: “I am delighted, although somewhat humbled, to have received such a prestigious honour for the job that I have been doing for the past 20 years. 

“It also acknowledges the effort and dedication required by people like me, and the thousands of other professionals, who look after and protect the children and young people of Scotland.”

Professor Craig Mahoney, UWS principal and vice chancellor, said: “Maureen is widely respected within the sector for the part she has played in helping to further the wellbeing of children and her OBE is recognition of this.”

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