Pictured: West Midlands Care Association boss Debbie Le Quesne receives her award from former Big Brother housemate Alison Hammond and Shaun Turner of the Professional Care Workers' Benevolent Fund

The boss of an organisation which is helping to oversee Government reforms in care across the Black Country has received a top award for her work.

Debbie Le Quesne (cor) lifted the The Outstanding Contribution To Social Care Award in a Midlands-wide competition that recognises exceptional performances in the industry.

The 50-year-old chief executive officer of the West Midlands Care Association (WMCA) based in Park Lane, Halesowen, said she was "shocked and delighted" by the honour. 

Ms Le Quesne, who joined the association in 2003, has been involved in care work since she was 14 working as a volunteer with the then PHAB Club (now Phab) charity which brought abled bodied and the disabled together.

She later continued her in interests in care as a Rotaract and Rotary Club volunteer, which included helping to set up a respite centre - Merton House in Ross on Wyre - before taking a marketing job with WMCA.

"It's huge honour to receive this much-respected award, but in all conscience I cannot possibly own it as my own. It represents countless hours of hard work by my staff, association directors and not least the local authorities we partner in modernising the delivery of care.

"My experience of the care industry has come a long way since we took people out for day trips and presented short plays as part of the PHAB Club.

"I would like the public to be aware of the amazing care provided throughout the West Midlands by the majority of care companies and local authorities, which the association sees and supports," added Ms Le Quesne, who was nominated for the award by Dudley Council.

Daniel Johnson Dudley director of the association and proprietor of Wychbury Care Home in Stourbridge, said: "This award recognises the support the association has given the care Industry during these difficult times, whilst developing a partnership with Dudley local authority. 

"The Industry has been coping with big changes in legislation, increases in costs and local councils who have less resources than ever before. We are all trying to work together to find a way to ensure the public continues to receive quality care."

The award, part of the Great British Care Awards, was presented to Ms Le Quesne at a glittering ceremony at the ICC, Birmingham, by television celebrity and former Big Brother housemate Alison Hammond.