Kyle Caddick, Communications and Engagement Officer, recently sat down with Jordan Allan, Service Quality Director for Thera (Scotland), to discuss his role and how working for Thera has helped him make a difference in his own life, and the lives of others.
What is your job role?
I am a Service Quality Director at Thera (Scotland). I am responsible for checking that the quality of support that people get from us is the best that it can be and that the people we support can speak to me about positive things or something that is worrying them.
Just having someone who has that lived experience of a learning disability is really important and that’s what the people we support see when they look at me. I’ve been in their position and accessed the same support as they have.
What are your responsibilities as a Service Quality Director?
I’m responsible for Company Membership and making sure that we continue to recruit people to join and that we continue to work alongside our current Company Members which includes people we support, staff, and family carers.
I am also responsible for the being heard strategy. This is where we do different social events which ensures the people we support have a voice.
My job is to make sure the people we support are represented at a board level which is part of Thera’s person-centred approach.I also work alongside the Managing Director to make key decisions about Thera (Scotland).
What’s your proudest moment as a Service Quality Director?
My proudest moment of being a Service Quality Director is when I see the impact the support has had on the people we support. This can be at an event or when I’m in their home.
For example, someone said that I was their best friend and it’s really important for the people we support to see our Service Quality Directors as someone they can speak too and also a bit of a role model. Helping the people we support is why I am in this job. I want to help them live a good life.
It’s all about making a difference in peoples lives.
What skills have you developed in your role?
This has been my first management job so I’ve learnt a lot about being a manager and being a leader. For me its those skills and now I have an NVQ management qualification as well.This role has been building up my leadership skills.
I’d say my confidence has really gone up and I would say that doing this job you have to feel confident and have the confidence in yourself and everyone around you. We’re all in this job because we want to make a difference in peoples lives.
How has being a Service Quality Director impacted your life?
Its really given me confidence. Ive made friends and really built relationships. There’s a lot of travel involved and that’s something I have not done previously.
I am a much more confident person since becoming an SQD. It’s definitely had a good effect on my life.
What would you say to anyone considering applying to an Service Quality Director role?
Definitely go for it it’s the best job in the world. If you want to make a difference in someones life then you should go for it. Its not a job you can just come and do, you need to appreciate the values. It’s why we all do it, we want to help people, and for people to have good lives.