Ben Taplin, a Team Leader at Orbis Education and Care, has been awarded the Welsh Care Home Worker of the Year award at the regional heats of the British Care Awards.

Ben, from Hay-on-Wye, is based at Orbis' Ty Bronllys near Brecon, and was applauded for his passionate approach to work and unyielding enthusiasm with the residents. He will now go on to the national final in March.

Orbis Education and Care is one of the UK's leading providers of specialist schools and homes, supporting children and adults with their needs by offering education, care, in-house therapeutic support, and adult community homes. 

Set in the beautiful foothills of the Black Mountains, Ty Bronllys School and residential service, run by Orbis, is a home for young people with complex needs associated with autism. 

Ben, 36, has been working at Ty Bronllys for four years after he moved back to Wales from Dubai with his wife Lisa. The dad-of-one became Team Leader a year ago and has since focused on improving the environment for the young people and staff. 

He orchestrated the transformation of an unused room into a sensory room where young people can relax and unwind and planted trees and flowers to bring more wildlife to the garden and create biodiversity. He also developed systems for the medication room and worked to build a close relationship with the local pharmacy.

Ben said: "Ty Bronllys is a special home for a few reasons, one of which is it's the oldest home in the Orbis family and has been supporting individuals for nearly two decades. It is situated in the beautiful Brecon Beacons with incredible views and scenery, meaning it's the best office in the country, and we pride ourselves on the work we do with young people who are both brilliant and challenging.  

"Winning this award was an extremely proud moment in my short care career. We don't do this type of work for accolades and achievements but to help and make a difference in someone's life. To be recognised on this scale is amazing.

"Although it was an individual award, it wouldn't have been possible without the support from my managers, Emma and Adam and the dedication and hard work of my team every shift, so a bit of this achievement goes to all of them, too. We'll continue to do what we do and hopefully see if we can take home the big prize next year at the finals."

Emma Arnold, Head of Care at Ty Bronllys, said: "Ben is an incredible team leader who is passionate and dedicated towards his role. He always thinks of ways to help improve the home for the young people we care for. His amazing ideas make our home a better place.

"He's creative and imaginative, which allows his ideas to run. He puts 110 per cent into each and every day and always goes above his job role".

The national finals of the Great British Care Awards take place at the ICC in Birmingham in March.