A care supervisor described as a ‘miracle worker’ by her peers for her ability to bring out the best in her clients has made the shortlist of a national industry award.

Jaylee Garner, from Rhoose, near Cardiff, cares for young and elderly people in the community who are living with disabilities or mobility issues in her role as a care supervisor with Allcare (South Wales) Ltd, based in Barry.

The 29-year-old, who has worked in social care for the past 11 years, has made a marked difference to the lives of those supports, with an uncanny ability to draw out their dreams and aspirations through perceptive conversations before turning them into reality.

Those efforts have now been recognised on a national level with a place in the final of this year’s Wales Care Awards.

The awards, sponsored overall by Meddyg Care and organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, recognise the outstanding work of those in the care sector, with all finalists guaranteed to come away with either a gold, silver or bronze prize in recognition of their achievements.

Jaylee has been nominated for the Care Practitioner in Small Group or Supported Living Award, sponsored by Cartref Ni, and will discover her fate at a glittering awards ceremony to be held at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Friday, October 17.

“It’s really exciting,” she said.

“We care for young people and the elderly, people with disabilities and people with mobility issues, all in their own home. It’s lovely to see them with a smile on their face – it’s the reason I do this job. And if they’re happy in themselves then it makes caring for them much easier.

“We very much work towards outcomes and so it’s my goal to go out and have conversations with people about what’s important to them and to make a difference in their lives as well as providing everyday care. We try to remove barriers that they might face.”

Jaylee originally embarked on a beauty course at Cardiff and Vale College in Barry when she first left school and was introduced to care work by a friend who was working for a care agency that was recruiting.

“It wasn’t something I’d previously thought about going in to but every day is really different,” she said.

“I think I’d get bored doing something that was too repetitive.”

Allcare employs a ‘Your Choice’ ethos throughout its services. This is an innovative style of care that is people-focused and allows individuals to live and embrace their lifestyle choices.

Jaylee’s colleagues say she ‘never gives up ‘despite the hurdles she may face and actively makes ‘miracles happen’ to facilitate her outcomes.

One example is her work with an elderly man who had suffered a stroke which had left him immobile and housebound, and feeling angry and frustrated at his lack of independence.

Jaylee set about solving practical issues at his home and sought to alleviate the social isolation he felt to improve his mental health and wellbeing. This included a well-deserved visit to the pub and lunch at the company’s community café. He has since been to the pub several times and recently watched a rugby match to cheer on his beloved Wales.

“At one stage he probably thought he would never get to do it again, it’s about opening their eyes to the opportunities and giving them the confidence to do it,” said Jaylee.

“He’s a lot calmer now. The staff enjoy taking him down the pub and having a laugh.”

Care manager Jane Davies, who put Jaylee forward for the award, said: “Her relentless perseverance, particularly on her own, has made Jaylee so deserving of this award and I am very proud as her manager to be nominating her.

“Jaylee ‘never gives up ‘despite many hurdles getting in her way and I admire this trait that she exhibits. The completion of forms /assessments, reviews are written in a way that inspires you to read more.

“I feel that Jaylee has grown/morphed into her role with an enthusiasm which is infectious to everyone around her. Jaylee is ‘there’ for everyone, working closely not only with those that we support but with the staff to facilitate her ‘outcomes’ and actively making ‘miracles’ happen.

“I hope when I grow older and maybe require care that I have someone just like Jaylee to support me to regain life skills that I have lost, to be treated with dignity, respect, kindness and understanding that Jaylee displays to achieve the most amazing outcomes.”

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 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 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.

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