Helen Mary Jones appointed to Social Care Wales Board
Penodi Helen Mary Jones i Fwrdd Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru
Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan has today (Tuesday 31 May) announced the appointment of Helen Mary Jones to the Social Care Wales Board.
Julie Morgan said: “I am delighted to appoint Helen Mary Jones as a new Member of the Social Care Wales Board. She will bring a huge amount of experience and knowledge to the Board.
The Board of Social Care Wales is collectively responsible for ensuring that Social Care Wales’ strategic direction is focussed on the well-being goals for Wales, the principles of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the requirements of the Regulation and Inspection (Wales) Act 2016.
I would like to thank all candidates who applied to become a Member of the Social Care Wales Board. The pool of applicants for both positions was very strong with a diverse range of interests and skills.”
Social Care Wales was established under the provision of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. Social Care Wales is responsible for acting as the professional regulator for the social care workforce and leading improvement in the sector.
The appointment of Helen Mary Jones will run from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2026 and she will be paid £282 per day based on a time commitment of 24 days per year.
This appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice on Ministerial Appointments.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published.
The individual does not hold any other Ministerial appointment.
Notes to editors
Helen Mary Jones has a deep understanding of policy, scrutiny, and decision making in Wales and beyond. Her 40 years’ public service includes her time as a Member of the Senedd, where she chaired both the Children and Young People’s Committee and the Culture Committee. She chaired Cross-Party Groups on Looked After Children and on Human Rights, and served as Shadow Minister for Health and Social Services and for the Economy. She was appointed to the Ministerial Intervention Board supporting Pembrokeshire County Council safeguarding improvements.
Outside politics she served as Chief Executive of a national youth work charity and was Deputy Director of the Equal Opportunities Commission. At the Morgan Academy, an innovative public affairs academy at Swansea University, she worked with colleagues to translate world class academic research into practical policy proposals. She has presented on public policy at Harvard, Huston, and Austin Universities and in September 2021 was elected to the Board of Children in Wales.
In 2017 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Swansea University, in recognition of her contribution to public life.