Thera’s impact is delivered every day by an incredible group of over 3,000 staff who support people with a learning disability across the UK.
The accessibility of learning is particularly important, because Thera employs people with a learning disability, as well as people with many other disabilities and learning needs. The Learning Together team regularly create easy read and plain English factsheets and eLearning modules that help break down complex topics and enable people to learn effectively. In-person and online training sessions also use a variety of techniques and activities to make training engaging and interactive, which is the best way for people to learn!
In 2023, the team recruited 2 L&D Accessibility Coordinators, including one person with lived experience of a disability. The aim is to develop a more inclusive learning environment where everyone feels confident to access learning that suits their needs and staff naturally support one another.
Thera was also instrumental in developing the RESTORE2™ Mini training, which involved people with a learning disability as co-trainers working alongside the Learning Together team and other trainers. This training was delivered to over 1000 people between 2021 and 2023.
This training focused on empowering all staff to recognise the value of their skills and expertise, trust their judgement and speak up for and with people with a learning disability. This is something the Learning Together team promote in all their training – no-one is ‘just’ a support worker and everyone is a professional with a responsibility and value to bring in their role. We encourage everyone to question standard practice and reflect on how they support people, so we can continue to improve the support we give.
Ultimately, it is all about the benefit to the person who is being supported. Training such as Person-Centred Active Support (PCAS) helps staff think about how to make small changes to help people gradually build up their independence, skills and confidence, so they are more in control of their lives. We have seen countless stories of the difference this makes to people, from taking charge of their weekly food shop, to learning to switch on their own bedside light.
In 2023, following their latest review, Thera’s Learning Together team was awarded the ‘Centre of Excellence’ award from Skills for Care, their highest possible achievement. They were found to be “over and above what we would expect of one of our endorsed providers” and were praised highly for their engagement with stakeholders as well as their work around neurodiversity.
Angela Kelly, Group Learning and Development Manager, had this to say:
A Skills for Care endorsement is a mark of quality for learning and development delivery within the adult social care sector.
I am lucky that I work with a team who have a strong vision and a passion to improve the lives of the people we support by delivering excellent learning opportunities to our staff.