A long-serving director of care and support has been described as “an inspiration” and “a role model” as she is recognised for her outstanding leadership in the social care sector.

Michelle Debbabi, Operations Director for Dimension Cymru has been shortlisted for one of this year’s prestigious Wales Care Award, known as the social care Oscars.

She’s been shortlisted in the Leadership & Management in a Small Group or Community Living category, sponsored by My Choice Healthcare.

The event is being organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work of the unsung frontline heroes in the social care sector.

The presentation ceremony, sponsored by Meddyg Care, is being held at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on Friday, October 17.

Dimensions Cymru supports more than100 people in supported living settings in South East Wales. It is part of Dimensions, a not-for-profit support provider whose 7,000 staff support around 3,000 people across England and Wales.

Michelle, 48, from St Mellons, has dedicated more than 25 years of her career to support people with learning disabilities and autism, including those with complex needs. Starting her career as a support worker, she steadily rose through the ranks to manager and, during the pandemic, Operations Director.

Her leadership has left a deep mark on her colleagues and the people they support. One senior manager said:

“She is one of the most supportive, selfless line managers I have had in my working career. Michelle really needs to see what an inspiration she is to others around her.”

Lisa Morgan, from Dimensions Cymru’s Clinical Team, echoed this, reflecting on Michelle’s journey:

“I have seen Michelle grow from a timid support worker to the courageous leader she now is.”

Michelle is renowned for setting high standards and leading by example. She is not afraid to challenge when she feels care is falling short. One colleague recalled a particularly difficult incident when a distressed man had to be taken to A&E after attempting to self-harm.

“Michelle was in constant contact on the phone, and we finally left the hospital at 4.30 am,” the team manager explained. “When we returned to the person’s home, Michelle was waiting for us to ensure everybody was OK. She had travelled 40 minutes in the middle of the night and stayed until 6am. That’s the kind of leader she is.”

Michelle, a mother of two, says she takes the greatest satisfaction in seeing lives transformed through person-centred support – but insists much of the credit belongs to her dedicated team of 12 locality managers.

“I am fortunate to work with such an incredible team who always put people first,” she said. “The changes we see in people’s lives make everything worthwhile.”

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “Care Forum Wales has been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to promote the social care sector.

“We established the Wales Care Awards to show our appreciation to the workforce and the wider sector for the remarkable and vitally important contribution everybody makes, day in day out.

“The event  underlines the importance of the social care sector. It is the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission is to be the voice of social care in Wales to advocate on the sector’s behalf, holding truth to power in order to secure a fair deal to recognise the dedication of our front line heroes and heroines across our nation.

“If you don’t value 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.

“Every single one of our finalists is a winner and will be presented with a gold, silver or bronze award.”