Barbadian Beverley Tarka, the first Black president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), received an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours List. Presented by Princess Anne at St. James ‘ Palace. This was given in recognition of her contributions to adult social care and unpaid carers, whose interests she advocated for during her 2023-24 presidency.
Over her 30-year career, Tarka primarily served at Haringey Council, starting as a residential social worker and rising to Director of Adults’ Services before retiring earlier last year.
In a statement, her former council said: “Her OBE honours a lifetime of dedication to improving lives and influencing national policy through compassion, leadership, as well as her own personal experiences.”
She was raised in Barbados by her grandparents, as was common among families who relied on extended family rather than social services. Decades later, in Nigeria, her own children benefited from similar support, leaving her with positive memories of family care.
Beverley has served on the Skills for Care Board since 2024, supporting the adult social care sector, and brings extensive local government experience. This post involved leading and managing a portfolio comprising Adult Social Care, Public Health, Housing Needs, and Community Services.
Having recently retired as Director for Adults, Health, and Communities at Haringey Council after more than 30 years. Beverley also led the organisation’s work on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
In 2023-24, Beverley Tarka served as President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), becoming the organisation’s first Black president.
In her inaugural keynote speech as President, Mrs Tarka said she was privileged to be on the platform in her new role and felt honoured and humbled.
She started by saying,
“The title ‘Made in Haringey’ captures only part of my journey. I believe that personal experience shapes each career path. Before entering social care, several formative influences, including my heritage and early exposure to caregiving through my mother’s informal carer role and my own responsibilities, shaped my development.”
“My youngest brother, David, born in 1968 with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), exemplifies the term we use in social care to describe such needs. Within our family, he has been a source of joy, love, and compassion. Growing up, I witnessed the persistent challenges of securing appropriate support—a struggle that lasted more than 5 decades.”
These experiences provided valuable insight into the realities faced by informal carers, particularly from my mother’s perspective. This foundation influenced my decision to pursue a career in social care, a field in which I have worked for over thirty years. It has also reinforced my commitment, during my presidency, to highlight the positive impact informal carers have on society.
According to Sheffield University (2015), unpaid carers contributed £132 billion to the UK economy; Carers UK estimated this rose to £193 billion during the pandemic. These figures underscore the crucial role of carers, and it is essential that ADASS continues to listen to their stories, advocate for their causes, and collaborate with carer organisations to support their aims.
Carers have consistently shouldered considerable responsibilities, especially during the pandemic. They have met these demands with resilience, but many are now experiencing significant exhaustion. As a society, it is imperative that we provide not only gratitude and respect but also tangible, meaningful support, ensuring that caring attains the recognition and status it deserves.
This extensive experience in the borough and across the local authority uniquely equips Beverley to influence and shape social care policies and practices. Championing informal carers and advocating for their recognition.
Living in Tottenham and caring for her brother have shaped her commitment to social welfare over the past three decades. Her successful tenure as President of ADASS strengthened her influence, helping to shape national policy and champion care equality. This hands-on experience has made her a role model in health and social care, demonstrating what is possible “when public service is driven by a purpose.”
Upon Beveley’s retirement from Haringey Council as Director of Adults, Health and Communities, Sara Sutton, Local Government Corporate Director at Haringey, issued the following statement.
“Beverley brought both professional wisdom and deeply personal experience to her leadership, especially as a sister and carer to her brother, who had a learning disability, and she is, of course, a Haringey resident. That lived experience shaped the way she led — with compassion, authenticity and an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging. She was also the first Black President of ADASS — a trailblazer in every sense. ” Continuing,
“I didn’t fully realise the depth of Beverley’s leadership’s impact on me until I was overcome with emotion listening to the reflections on her 30-year career at her leaving celebrations, especially Ann Graham’s story of a truly moving moment.”
Finally, “I’m incredibly humbled to be stepping into the (slightly reshaped) role. I won’t try to be Beverley — no one could be — but I will carry forward the values she modelled every day: courage, kindness, compassion, and the belief that leadership is ultimately about service. Thank you, Beverley, for everything. I will truly miss working with you.”
Speaking of her OBE, Beverley said:
I am truly delighted and humbled to have been recognised in this way. It is gratifying to see social care receiving the recognition it deserves, and I am pleased to have played a role in this. My thanks to Haringey Council, ADASS colleagues, social care partners and, above all, to carers without whom this award would not have been possible.
