The Human Face of Leadership in Social Care: FREE networking event for graduates of IPC’s Welsh leadership courses

Overview

Step into the future of leadership in Welsh social care.

Join us for a dynamic and thought-provoking event exploring how leadership is evolving across the social care sector in Wales. Through a series of interactive workshops, we’ll dive into the latest leadership approaches, challenges, and ideas shaping practice today.

This is more than just a learning experience – it’s an opportunity to connect. You’ll hear real stories from leaders at every level, from frontline practitioners to senior decision-makers, offering honest insights into what it means to lead in social care in 2026.

Agenda

Expect a rich and engaging agenda, including:

Inspiring keynote speakers – featuring Joanne Llewellyn, Head Of Children’s Services, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Interactive workshops on contemporary leadership thinking, including Lencioni’s ‘Five Dysfunctions of a Team’, West’s ‘Compassionate Leadership’, and Scott’s ‘Radical Candour’
Opportunities to address real-time challenges, such as the pursuit to eliminate profit in children’s placements, and the return to a strong staff presence in the workplace
Open Q and A sessions with sector leaders
Dedicated time for networking over lunch

Audience

This exclusive event is open to those who have completed the IPC Social Care TMDP or MMDP accredited programmes, or the Aspirant Middle Manager programme.

Booking

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis so secure your place today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of leadership in Welsh social care.

Meet Our Speakers

Professor Fiona Richardson

Director

IPC

Fiona leads the IPC team as Director. She is a very experienced consultant who leads applied research and evaluations, service improvement projects and training and development programmes for national and local government, health organisations, care providers and the voluntary and community sector.

Dr Caroline Dowson

Senior Consultant

IPC

Dr Caroline Dowson has over thirty years’ experience in children’s services within local authorities in both strategic and operational roles. Her expertise ranges from early help services through to safeguarding systems as well as managing an early year’s special educational needs team.

Richard Timms

Associate Consultant

IPC

Richard is a highly experienced leader with over 35 years of knowledge working in a range of disciplines including adult social care, human resource management, workforce development and organisational development.

Joanne Llewellyn

Head Of Children's Services

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

Joanne Llewellyn has over twenty years’ experience in children’s services within local authorities in both strategic and operational roles. Her expertise ranges from team manager of child protection and fostering services to Head of Children Services for Merthyr Tydfil. Joanne undertook both TMDP and MMDP as part of her qualification and management journey.

Rebecca Cicero

Head of Culture and Leadership

Social Care Wales

Rebecca Cicero is Head of Culture and Leadership at Social Care Wales, leading on work to support workforce wellbeing and leadership development, with a particular focus on compassionate leadership. Rebecca formerly worked at the Social Services Improvement Agency before joining Social Care Wales, supporting implementation of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act. Prior to this, Rebecca worked in adult mental health, and has also worked as a policy and research manager, focussed on improvements in public services.

Bex Steen

Leadership Development Manager

Social Care Wales

Bex Steen is a Leadership Development Manager at Social Care Wales, where she champions stronger, more compassionate leadership across the social care sector. With over 20 years of experience in social care leadership, she brings a wealth of knowledge alongside genuine, real-world experience. Bex is now focused on embedding compassionate leadership into everyday practice and organisational culture. She is passionate about helping others lead with empathy, courage and authenticity - supporting people to not just lead well, but to lead in ways that truly make a difference.

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