OBE for Wandsworth's Children's Services Director
Rasheed Pendry appears in King's Honours List
All kinds of gardens are welcome to enter. Picture: Wandsworth Council
June 16, 2025
A senior officer at Wandsworth Council has been made an OBE in the 2025 King’s Honours List
Rasheed Pendry, Director of Practice for Children and Family Social Care, was given the award in recognition of his commitment and devotion to supporting children and young people across the borough.
Mr Pendry has led the team responsible for supporting children and families who need extra help, from social work and early help services to safeguarding and family support. He’s played a key role in improving how these services work together, introducing new ways of supporting families earlier and more effectively, strengthening partnerships with local health and police teams, and making sure children’s voices are heard.
Reflecting on the honour, he said, “I’m incredibly proud to receive this recognition. Everything we’ve achieved in Wandsworth has been the result of teamwork, from our brilliant frontline practitioners to our partners and the families we serve. This is a shared success, and I’m grateful to work alongside such passionate, committed people.”
His leadership is credited with earning Wandsworth a “Good” rating from Ofsted. Inspectors praised the council’s performance in areas such as early help, corporate parenting, and the quality of social work practice.
In addition to the Ofsted rating, Mr Pendry’s approach is believed to have played a pivotal role in Wandsworth’s recognition at the 2024 Social Worker of the Year Awards, where the Council was named Supportive Social Work Employer of the Year. Judges commended the borough for creating a workplace culture that empowers social workers, values professional development, and puts families at the heart of services.
Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children, said, “Rasheed’s passion and leadership have helped transform the lives of many children and young people across the borough.
“He’s built a high-quality team and set exceptionally high standards for what good practice looks like.
“His OBE is immensely deserved, a tribute to his integrity, innovation, and the collective efforts of all who work in and with Wandsworth’s Children’s Services.”
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