A Swansea woman who runs children’s homes across Wales has taken gold at the Wales Care Awards. Sandra White’s nomination was backed by every one of her staff teams, who describe a boss who “leads with heart, humility, and unwavering commitment”.
White is operational director for children’s services in Wales at the charity Action for Children. She collected the Leadership and Management in Residential Care award at the Wales Care Awards ceremony in Cardiff on Friday evening.
The awards, run by Care Forum Wales, give every finalist a gold, silver or bronze. It is the same category Neath’s Jacqueline Orrells won gold in four years ago.
White said the award “really belongs to the amazing teams I have the privilege of working with every day”.
‘It really belongs to the amazing teams’: Sandra White on residential care
“I am incredibly honoured to receive this award,” she said. “Residential care is all about providing children with the stability, support and belief they need to thrive, and that can only be achieved through the dedication of talented and compassionate colleagues.”
“Seeing children overcome challenges, build confidence and achieve their goals is what motivates all of us. I am proud to be part of an organisation that is committed to giving every child the chance of a safe and happy childhood and a positive future.”
White oversees a number of the charity’s residential children’s services in Wales. All of its children’s homes in Wales are currently rated good or excellent by inspectors, Action for Children says.
Nominated by every one of her staff teams: ‘she leads with heart, humility, and unwavering commitment’
Laurie Ryall, the charity’s national director for Wales, said the nomination had come from the people who work for her. “Sandra’s nomination was supported by all of her staff teams, who describe her as ‘an exceptional director because she leads with heart, humility, and unwavering commitment to the children and families we support’.”
“Everyone at Action for Children is absolutely delighted to see Sandra receive this well-deserved recognition,” he said.
“Sandra is so passionate about the work that she does and has an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and young people, supporting our staff and ensuring our homes provide a safe and nurturing environment.”
“This award reflects what all of us at Action for Children have long known about Sandra’s dedication, leadership and impact,” he added. “It is particularly special to see those qualities recognised externally, and we could not be prouder of this achievement.”
Gold, silver or bronze for every finalist at the social care ‘Oscars’
The Wales Care Awards cover care homes and home-care services across the country, with categories for frontline carers, nurses, chefs and dementia specialists as well as managers. Every finalist leaves with a medal, “a bit like the Olympics”, organisers say.
Nominations for the 2026 awards opened in January with a rallying cry from Sir Bryn Terfel, who sponsors an award for bringing the arts into care settings.
White’s category was sponsored by Christie & Co. She was joined on the night by her husband Martyn and by colleagues from the charity.
Friday’s ceremony was the final of the 2026 awards, for which nominations closed on 31 January. Mario Kreft, the chair of Care Forum Wales, founded them to say thank you to “the people who keep the social care network going”.
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