Vale Head of Adult Services Awarded MBE in New Year's Honours
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 Year’s 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 four weeks, and then four 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.
“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. 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.”
Cllr Eddie Williams, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, said: “I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Jason on this much-deserved honour. This award is a testament to his lifelong and unwavering commitment to improving adult social care services in the Vale and beyond.
“Thank you Jason for everything you do in support of our residents and the wider social care sector in Wales.”