My First Year as an SQD: A Bridge Between Two Worlds

Posted 30/08/2024

Sam Avery, Service Quality Director for Thera South West reflects on her previous month as she goes on visits with a Board Member and discusses her role with a Non-executive as she hits half a year spent in her role.

One of the areas I love is the visits to the homes of the people we support. It was great to see them again this past month. They were, once again, really welcoming and kind. It’s important to keep up these visits so we they can have a relationship with me and tell me what their support is like and if there is any way we can improve.

This is why I’m so happy, despite my nerves, that we had one of our board members came along with me. The people we support don’t get a lot of time with the board and vice-versa. These sorts of moments are so important, it helps builds an understanding. People on the board can get an in-depth experience on how the people we support live and this knowledge can help them make decisions that serve them best.

It works the other way too, the people we support can see that the people running the company are keeping them at the centre of the decisions they are making and there is thought and care inside every choice made.

The visit helped to highlight why my role is so important. I had a meeting recently with a Non-Executive Director so they could get more of an in-depth understanding to my role and what I do in it. So, I’m looking forward to doing more in the future with them.

I have previously mentioned some challenges with eLearning. In a show of unity amongst the other Service Quality Directors across the group, we all have agreed to meet up together and go through the learning so we can support each other. It’s incredible that I am getting to work alongside my fellow SQDs and I’m looking forward to having their support.

The next few months are looking great. I have some events coming in the next month. Thera South West have a Fun Day on 18 September that I am looking forward to going to and seeing all the people we support interacting and having a wonderful time. I also have a Leadership event with my fellow Service Quality Directors coming up and I’m looking forward to seeing them all in person.

My Executive Assistant has her start date now as well! I’ve worked with the recruitment team and Estelle, Managing Director, to ensure she can start as soon as possible, as I am keen to start working closely with her as we continue doing incredible work.

While this month has been busy, I have loved the work I’ve been able to do and I am looking forward to more in the next month!

Click here to read more about Sam’s adventures over the last few months.