Voting is now open to choose two of the winners for the 2025 Accolades.
We’re now inviting members of the public to vote for the two people they think should be crowned the winners of the Inspirational Leadership award and the WeCare Wales award for outstanding care workers.
The Accolades, which are sponsored by Llais, are awards that recognise, celebrate and share notable work in social care and childcare, play and early years in Wales.
Seven inspiring workers from across the social care and childcare, play and early years workforces have been chosen by our expert panels of judges as this year’s finalists across the two categories.
The four outstanding care workers who’ve been chosen as finalists for the WeCare Wales award are:
- Casey Baker, a Social Care Worker at Bridgend County Borough Council Supported Living
- Gayle Jones, a Care Coordinator at Habitat Homecare in Swansea
- Sarah Sharpe, a Registered Childminder at Poppins Daycare in the Vale of Glamorgan
- Terri Steele, a Self-employed Registered Childminder from Ceredigion.
The three people who‘ve shown exceptional leadership and have reached the final of the Inspirational Leadership award are:
- Avril Bracey, the Head of Service for Adult Social Care at Carmarthenshire County Council
- Ffion Cole, a Principal Officer at Bridgend County Borough Council
- Keri Warren, the Head of Children and Young People's Services at Neath Port Talbot Council.
The winner will be announced at the 2025 Accolades awards ceremony at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel on 1 May.
Sarah McCarthy, our Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to all the Inspirational leadership award and WeCare Wales award finalists!
“And thank you to all those who nominated a worker for this year’s awards. We received a very high standard of entries, and our seven exceptional finalists show the breadth of excellent care and support that’s being provided across the care sector in Wales.
“We know social care and early years workers are valued for the care and support provided across Wales, but this critical workforce doesn’t always feel valued by the public. This is your opportunity to show support. Please vote for our finalists and who you think should be named the winners for 2025. ”