THE EXECUTIVE head of education at a state-of-the-art specialist school has been recognised for helping children “be themselves” while “creating lasting memories.”
Emma Thomas is at the helm at Orbis Education and Care’s Dan-y-Coed in Swansea, which caters for youngsters with autism and learning disabilities.
The 41-year-old runs a team of creative education, care and therapeutic professionals who help children to feel safe and respected, whilst providing bright and colourful child-friendly environments in which to learn, live and make friends.
It is her dedication over the last seven years that has earned her a place in the final of the major national competition – the 2024 Wales Care Awards, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare.
Emma’s aim is to help children simply be themselves, creating lasting memories of childhood as they develop into independent young people and adults.
The mum-of-two from Penclawdd is shortlisted for the Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People, sponsored by Morgan LaRoche Solicitors.
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.
It was Director of Education, Lucy Pottinger who nominated Emma for the accolade.
She said: “Emma has been working at Dan-y-Coed since it opened in 2017 and this year she has experienced the joy of seeing her very first pupil transition to a mainstream school full-time, which is an incredible achievement and demonstrates her strength and determination to help her pupils.
“Emma and her team devised a support plan to help him pursue his wish to go to mainstream school. Emma developed a strong team of learning support staff, teachers and clinical therapists, including a behaviour specialist, to help him gradually break down behavioural barriers and build trust with staff.
“She helped him understand that they would stick by him through tough times. Small classes with a bespoke curriculum unique to him proved invaluable and were the key to his success.”
Lucy added: “It is very rare for pupils to go from an independent specialist school to a mainstream placement and Emma should be proud of the progress her very first pupil has made.
“The fact she oversaw a team that has helped the young man fulfil his dream of going to a mainstream school deserves recognition.”
Emma said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a privilege. There are so many people across Wales who do outstanding work in our field, and I hope that I can represent them proudly.
“We all have our own ‘why’ as to reasons we undertake the work that we do, and to be nominated, let alone be a finalist is extremely rewarding. Knowing that I have helped others in a way that has positively influenced their lives, and the lives of others close to them, is a feeling that you can never forget.”
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 Emma.
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.”
