Dame Christine Lenehan

Christine began her career as a social worker in 1980 working with children and their families in specialist roles in both residential and community settings.

In 2000 Christine joined the Council for Disabled Children, part of National Children’s Bureau and became Director in 2003. Last year she carried out Reviews for both the Department of Health and Department for Education, into the treatment of children with significant needs and the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in residential special schools and colleges. Both Reviews received a very positive response from Government, and implementation of their recommendations is likely to make a significant impact on practice in this area and the experiences of the children and young people affected.

In 2009 Christine was awarded an OBE for services for disabled children and young people and in 2013 was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. In 2016 she was awarded a Damehood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of her outstanding work for disabled children and young and those with special educational needs spanning over 35 years.