Professional Development

Our leadership approach encourages a culture of learning and development, best practice approaches, and leading by example to ensure the people we support live great lives.

At Thera, our commitment to your development is not just something we say, or a box to be ticked. We genuinely want you to develop in your skills, knowledge, and career. We exist to support people to live their best lives and that mentality and philosophy extends to our staff as well. We want your career at Thera to be rewarding and fulfilling and we understand that personal and professional growth is vital to achieve that.

Depending on what you want to achieve in your career, we will work with you to be confident and effective in your current role. We will also identify where you might be able to upskill to progress your career. This includes regular training, workshops and recognised qualifications, such as diplomas at various levels and subjects through our apprenticeship levy.

These qualifications can help you advance your career, and examples of the qualifications our Operational staff complete whilst working for us are below.

There are also a variety of Apprenticeship courses available to Thera Trust staff and specialist companies’ dependant on role and job competencies.

Our online learning platform also allows access to specific modules that educate you on specific topics such as infection control and offer the now mandatory Oliver Mcgowan training.

Where can my career take me?

Before becoming a support worker Graham worked in construction but was looking for something new and a family member recommended Thera. So began his career in support. Graham said himself that it was nothing like he thought it would be due to the stereotypes of learning disability and support work. He quickly discovered a passion for the role and a thirst to learn.

Graham progressed from a Support Worker to a Senior Support Worker, then became a Team Coordinator, Community Support Leader, and now works as an Operational Manager managing teams of people across East Anglia.

Graham says:

It’s made me look at life differently. It’s 15 years ago that I started with Thera, and in that time, I think my own values, attitudes, and beliefs have all changed in the way that I look at things. I think I’m a calmer person and I think I’m a more thoughtful person. So absolutely I do think it has brought out the best in me.

To read more about Graham’s career path and thoughts about progressing in social care visit here.

Sam’s story

Sam is another person who began her career in social care as a Support Worker. Sam made a career move from retail to become a Support Worker. A career she wishes she had done all along:

I thought let’s try something different, and I went into it and I realized I should have been doing this all along, cause this feels more like me. I loved it then and I still love it now. abroad for the first time and seeing their faces on the plane. It’s an incredible job.

Sam has now been promoted multiple times and become a Community Support Leader.

December last year my operations manager advised that she thought I’d be really good for a vacant CSL role. I was frightened but she convinced me to go for it. Now I am responsible for a staff team of 15 and we support 6 people in 2 supported living homes.

Lorna’s story

When I finished school, I went onto college to study a GNVQ in Health and Social Care. I knew I wanted to work in social care but I didn’t know what route I wanted to take. It was during a 2-week work experience placement that I decided to move into a Support Worker role. I absolutely loved my experience working with older people in a care home.

I worked weekends as a Care Assistant and successfully applied for a full-time position at the company once I had completed my studies. During my four years at the company, I progressed from Care Assistant to Lead Carer, and finally Customer Service Manager. I was able to gain a Diploma in Welfare Studies and City and Guilds Advance Management for Care qualifications.

After leaving the company, I became Deputy Manager for a home ran by a national organisation. Within five years, I had been promoted twice, firstly to Registered Home Manager, and then to Operations Manager. It was during this time that I was able to work with people with a learning disability across the country.

I completed further study which included a NVQ level 4 and 5 and a certificate in Management. Afterwards I moved on to become Divisional Director for a national charity, supporting people with a learning disability in my new role.

In 2014 I felt it was time for a change and I joined Thera East Anglia as Managing Director. I’m incredibly proud that during my time as Managing Director, our team has gone from strength to strength. Our organisation has won a regional Great British Care award and also achieved Outstanding CQC ratings, which has been incredible recognition for our commitment teams.

More recently, I was nominated by my colleagues in Thera East Anglia for the New Year’s Honours List and will receive an MBE for services to people with a learning disability. It was a complete shock to receive the letter and I accepted the award on behalf of everyone who works in Thera East Anglia and the wider Thera Group; the award would not be possible without the dedication, skill, and hard work of everyone I work with.

Whether you’re just leaving school or thinking about a career change, I hope people can be inspired by the fact you don’t need to have a university degree, or your career path completely figured out to move up the career ladder. It’s best to give things a try and see how you get on. Many companies, including Thera, offer excellent training and development and the sky is the limit for your progression. The most important thing is that you have a passion for helping people achieve their life goals and a willingness to listen to and learn from people.

Lorna is now on the board of directors for Thera Trust becoming the Group Director of Operations, Quality, and Practice.

Sarah’s story

We have one more example of what is possible from a career in social care. Sarah began her career working in public relations in the corporate sector but decided to make a career change and applied for a relief worker role supporting people with a learning disability. She was then successful in obtaining a permanent role equivalent to a Community Support Leader.

Having made a name for herself, a member of staff at Thera contacted her about an Operational Manager role. She was successful and quickly given extra responsibility and took on the position of Regional Manager.

When the Managing Director left, Sarah was promoted again and now is the Managing Director of Thera East Midlands. She progressed from a support worker to a Managing Director in less than ten years! Of this achievement, she said:

I’m a bit like a sponge, I like to learn, which I think has put me in good stead over the years.

Sarah’s story shows how far you can progress with a willingness to learn and a strong work ethic. If you are keen to progress and develop your own career you should speak to your manager about what opportunities for development are available.

Visit our careers portal to see what roles are available in your area!