When Douglas Armstrong, the first Service Quality Director of Thera started in 1999, he had the job of looking at the quality of the support Thera provided, and what people with a learning disability thought about it. He did this by regularly visiting people supported by Thera, and telling Thera’s Board what he found out.
In Douglas’ first year, Thera supported people in three houses and during the day. However, as Thera got bigger, it became more difficult to make two visits a year. A Quality Development Group was set up in 2003 to carry forward the quality work. It was decided to employ people with a learning disability supported by Thera to work as Quality Assessors. Most Quality Assessors only work a few days a year in order that their benefits are not reduced.
Now that the Thera Group has moved into new areas, a Quality Development Group in each area has been set up.Quality Assessors are supported by a Quality Partner. Quality Assessors are asked to make two or more visits a year to people Thera supports and to tell other people what they think.
The Quality Team also does other things within the Thera Group—tender presentations, training and presentations/work with outside agencies. In 2004, The Thera Quality Framework was a finalist in the Community Care Awards.
