An “inspirational” team leader with a vast career in social care has been hailed as “the role model we all aspire to be.”

Jayne Owen’s passion and commitment saw her bloom from a cook in a residential home to a manager delivering training to others within her 39 years at Wrexham County Borough Council.

Now the 65-year-old from Brymbo, who has since retired but worked for the authority’s Workforce Development Team, has earned herself a place in the final of the major national competition – the 2024 Wales Care Awards sponsored by Ontex Healthcare.

Jayne’s former colleagues say she stood out for the way she treated people with a “kind and caring heart” and “mounds of patience.”

In 2007, she was appointed team leader of the qualification centre where she nurtured and mentored staff, imparting her vast knowledge and skills to others to benefit the social care sector.

Grandmother-of-two Jayne, is shortlisted for the Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award which is sponsored by City & Guilds & WJEC Consortium.

The glittering presentation ceremony will be held on Friday, October 18 at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

The awards are in association with Care Forum Wales, a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1993 to give independent care providers a single professional voice with which to speak on one of the most important issues of our time – how to provide better quality care for those who need it most.

Jayne’s dedication saw her offer her unrelenting support to others to help them confidently and competently carry out their roles.

Jayne was also instrumental in the team having gained excellent external quality assurance reports. She was even praised for supporting care homes in dealing with patients with dementia offering empathy and understanding due to her own mothers’ diagnosis.

Assessor, Tracey Evans who nominated her, said: “Jayne is often referred to as the role model we all aspire to be.

“She is a compassionate and empathetic leader who really understands the importance and benefits that can be gained from respecting others’ views and opinions and the positive contribution that others bring to a team. She treats everyone with the utmost respect and dignity and has the skills to instill confidence and empower her team to utilise their skills and also to embrace opportunities to help them to develop and grow.”

She added: “We as a team, passionately regard ourselves as extremely lucky to have such an inspiring, committed and knowledgeable leader and manager in Jayne and passionately believe that her longevity, commitment and unwavering passion is recognised and she receives the recognition she deserves.”

Donna Woodcock, manager of Penygelli Hall, in Coedpoeth, was assessed by Jayne during her studies. She said: “Jayne has such a kind and caring heart with such passion for the work that she does… I owe everything to Jayne for where I am today and the skills she has taught me to perform well within my job role.

“If only there were more Jaynes in the social care sector, we may not be in the crisis we find ourselves in today.”

About being shortlisted, Jayne said: “It was a lovely surprise to hear I’d been nominated, it came as a complete shock but it’s so nice to be recognised. It’s the icing on the cake after 39 years.

“When you’re doing the job day-to-day, you don’t realise the impact you’re having but when you see people putting their learning into practice, it’s so nice having played a part in their development.

“But I couldn’t have done it without such an amazing team by my side, with them, you can’t fail to be successful.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the aim of the Wales Care Awards is to recognise the unstinting and remarkable dedication of unsung heroes and heroines across Wales like Jayne.

He said: “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.”