Cardiff and Vale College's James awarded Inspirational Leader of the Year for his work on Wellbeing

Cardiff and Vale College’s Head of Additional Learning Needs and Wellbeing James Donaldson has been crowned UK-wide Inspirational Leader of the Year for his work delivering inclusive student services.

The College’s Additional Learning Needs and Wellbeing teams also won second prize for team of the year, out of 600 colleges across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The awards were given by the National Association for Managers of Student Services. A key stakeholder for government department consultations covering safeguarding, funding and learner wellbeing in Further Education, NAMSS recognises and awards managers and colleagues who work in student services in post-16 education and training.

CAVC’s Additional Learning Needs and Wellbeing teams were nominated for Team of the Year at the NAMSS Awards for their innovative and exceptional work in supporting the College’s students. They came second across the UK for their innovative ‘Team around the Learner’ approach which brings together support and the curriculum.

In the last academic year, the teams have supported more than 1,500 students, working closely with lecturers, employers, parents and allied professionals. Their work has been recognised by bodies including Public Health Wales, Estyn, Matrix, Careers Wales and the College is also has Leader in Diversity status from the National Centre for Diversity.

Cardiff and Vale College’s sector-leading work has also led to it being shortlisted for a UK-wide Association of College’s Beacon Award for Wellbeing.

James said: “It was a great honour to be nominated and win the award for Inspirational Leader at the NAMSS Annual Awards ceremony. I’m proud to lead a team who embrace our core values of being inclusive, influential and inspirational.

“We aim to ensure that every learner gets the support they need to ensure that they achieve their goals while in College. We employ a person-centred approach which places the learner at the heart of decision-making and we measure our success by their success. To be recognised across the sector is magnificent and down to the hard work of the teams.”