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care worker who has played a major part in helping people with learning difficulties to live more independent lives has had his work officially recognised.
Selwyn Lloyd Jones, who is Gwynedd County Council’s Accommodation with Care manager, has been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise and reward excellence in the field.
He was nominated in the category for Leadership and Management in Social Care, which is sponsored by Christie and Co. The awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony in City Hall, Cardiff, on October 18.
Selwyn, who hails from Tudweiliog, began work as a Second Chance tutor at Coleg Meirionnydd but when the job came to an end he had a change of career, becoming a support worker with the county council in 1992.
Over the years he moved up the ladder to be team leader, then manager of the day and support services and then, in 2010, Accommodation with Care manager. He oversees the Supported Living service for the whole of Gwynedd, leading a team of 80 staff with care for 24 tenants, and the Adult Placement Scheme for Gwynedd and Anglesey.
He was nominated for the award by Catherine Ellis, the council’s Developmental Manager, who said that Selwyn was always prepared to take on new ideas but always with the good of the service users at heart.
“What Selwyn firmly believes in is client choice and autonomy,” she said.
His skills were highlighted when he was asked to take over two separate learning disability services which were below standard, and within six months he turned them around, implementing new policies and procedures and ensuring that staff adhered to them.
His nomination was supported by his former line manager Catrin Rutherford, who said he had “totally revolutionised” both services and changed the attitude of staff who were totally committed to him.
“His commitment to both services has ensured that people with learning difficulties in Gwynedd are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential and live as independently as possible, “ she wrote.
Selwyn, 50, who lives in Llanbedr, near Harlech, said the incentive for him was to “normalise” people’s lives as much as possible by integrating them in the community with the requisite support.
“We have a brilliant team in Gwyendd,” he said proudly.
In his spare time Selwyn enjoys relaxing with his family – he has three children and three grandchildren – and reads historical biographies. He also admits to one other overwhelming interest – he is a devoted fan of the ‘70s band Blondie, owning all their records and often travelling to see them perform live.
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards had gone from strength to strength.
He said: “The event is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar.
“The aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.
“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.
“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.
“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.
“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”
