Second OBE for Devon adoption charity

Former Deputy CEO of local adoption agency Families for Children, Graham Pellew, has been awarded an OBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace.  Graham, who has recently completed 30 years of working in Adoption, was awarded the honour for his services to children and families. 

Graham started his career working for Nottinghamshire County Council, then moved across to the voluntary sector in 2000 firstly as Adoption Team Manager and then Deputy Chief Executive for Faith in Families.

In 2010 the opportunity to move to Devon came as he was appointed Deputy CEO of Families for Children, the Voluntary Adoption Agency & Children's Charity based in Buckfastleigh. During his time at Families for Children he helped place over 500 children with adopted families across Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall.

In 2016, Graham became the Project Lead for Aspire Adoption, one of the first Regional Adoption Agencies to become operational as part of a Government initiative. When this become fully operational during summer 2017 Graham took the opportunity to retire and spend more time at home in the Peak District.

After so many years, Graham is able to reflect on the significant changes that have taken place within adoption, and especially the development of ongoing adoption support services for children and adoptive parents - something he has been passionate about and delighted to have been part of.

Caroline Davis, Chief Executive Officer at Families for Children says, “I am delighted that Graham has been awarded an OBE. I have known Graham for over 20 years and have always been impressed by his professionalism and commitment to improving services and the lives of children and families. I was delighted when he made to move to become our Deputy CEO at FFC.

Graham worked extremely hard to ensure the services we offered were of the highest quality and he also led the Agency through two Outstanding Ofsted inspections. He is highly regarded by colleagues across the country and he was the project lead for Aspire Regional Adoption Agencies, one of the first RAAs in the country. We were sorry to see Graham retire from Families for Children but he is continuing some part time roles in adoption, closer to his home in Derbyshire, where is also finding time for gardening and walking with his wife.”

This is the second OBE received by a senior member of Families for Children. Caroline Davis, Chief Executive Officer, was awarded the same honour in 2014 for her contribution to children and families in the South West.

The charity continue to work to support the needs of adoptive families and their children in the South West and maintain an Ofsted of Outstanding for the 3rd consecutive time for  their services in adoption.