Head of Adult Services Awarded MBE in New Year's Honours

05 January 2026

Jason Bennett, the Head of Adult Services for the Vale of Glamorgan Council has been awarded an MBE for his services to Social Care as part of the King’s 2026 New Year’s Honours.

Upon learning of his award, Jason said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to have been nominated for a New Years Honour and to be receiving an MBE.

“There are tens of thousands of people working in social care in Wales and I hope the award is seen not as a personal achievement but as one that recognises the value and contribution social care makes in our society and dedicated workers who go above and beyond each and every day.”

He added: “My career has been one of amazing opportunities and I have had the privilege of meeting inspirational people at every stage of my journey. My first experience was as a teenager when my sister, an inspirational person in her own right asked me to 'help out for a few days' in a Barnardo’s summer playscheme for children with learning disabilities. The few days, became 4 weeks, and then 4 years and was the start of a lifelong career in social care.

“At 18 I started working in Local Government, a decision which has given me so many opportunities and I will always be grateful to the people who encouraged, persuaded and occasionally give me a needed nudge to develop my career.

“These opportunities included being supported to undertake my professional training as an Occupational Therapist, and in subsequent years to undertake a wide range of management and leadership courses, developing my leadership style enabling me to progress my career through a variety of roles to the position I hold today as Head of Service.

“The last few years has given me another opportunity as the ADSS Cymru lead for Adult Services in Wales, another role I hadn’t imagined doing, as it meant following in some very big footsteps, and working closely with Directors and Welsh Government. However, I have really enjoyed the role and hope I have had a positive impact during this time, and have managed to champion Adult Social Care and the amazing work that happens across the sector.

“If being awarded the Honour encourages other people to consider a career in social care then I will be really proud to have received it.”

In his congratulations to Jason, Chief Executive Rob Thomas said: “I am absolutely delighted that Jason’s outstanding contribution to social care has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours. Throughout his career, Jason has demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents.

“This award is not only a reflection of Jason’s personal dedication, but also of the vital role social care plays in our communities and the remarkable people who work across the sector. On behalf of everyone, I would like say a huge llongyfarchiadau to Jason on this well-deserved award – Thank you Jason for everything you do and have done to not only support our residents, but also your colleagues and the wider social care sector in Wales – diolch yn fawr iawn.”