Jenny Griffiths
Burnham-on-Sea,Somerset
Summary
I am a dedicated professional with a strong ability to communicate effectively,
ensuring mutual understanding and progress.
With experience in managing teams with respect and patience, but also knowing there is always something to learn
Creating supportive environments while achieving desired outcomes. I have an understanding of service management, working collaboratively with upper management to enhance service value and compliance. Experienced in supervision management, recruitment, disciplinary procedures, and investigations, adapting to evolving training requirements and supporting others to achieve these.
Calm under pressure, maintaining safety in challenging situations. Committed to continuous learning and embracing change for service improvement. Maintains excellent relationships with families across services and understands the importance of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work history
Acting Service manager
National Autistic Society
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
02.1985 - Current
- My role at present is Acting Service Manager within Cherry Trees.
- I started working for The National Autistic Society in February 1985. Initially working as part of the day service team and residential team.
- Prior to starting this role I had a work placement within day centres for adults with varying disabilities as well as Autism. When this was completed I stayed here on a volunteer basis until I was successful in my application to The National Autistic Society.
- In these years of working for this company I have worked mainly at Somerset Court. Initially in a role as a support worker.
- This role then change and I became a Senior Support Worker within Day Service. Though this position at this time was called 'Practitioner'
- During this period I worked closely with the houses on the site at Somerset Court, working with all teams to support each persons needs of in a way that was not institutionalised. Trying to create a service that was offering varied timetables that were what each person wanted and not just fitting this person in a space. Everyone worked hard to try to achieve this and though not perfect it was a step forward.
- After this position and varied changes to rota patterns that affected all areas of the site I became the Day Service Manager and again with close communications and understanding feel that I was able to be a big part in facilitating a service that was Person Centred and met the needs of each person. Providing a service that was tailored to their wants and wishes and not just what was on offer.
- 2014 was when I felt I had given as much as I could to making changes within the service and that maybe now a different person was needed to support growth.
- The opportunity arose when Fernery House opened in 2015 and I requested being considered for the role of Deputy Manager in this home. This was agreed and I was part of the team setting up the service provision. The time spent at Fernery was really fulfilling, seeing how each person that I had worked alongside at Somerset Court was given the opportunities to be able to live a much fuller life within the community of Burnham on Sea.
- After a while years at Fernery I was asked to act up in the manager role during maternity cover. This I did.
- I later was asked to go over to another service at Somerset Court to support a new Manager as their deputy. This was accepted and again working with another Manager and seeing their ways I feel I was able to work on other skills sets that I may not have seen before.
- Working in a variety of services and with different Managers has given me opportunities in lots of areas of personal growth, supporting each person in their role in the way that works is not always easy. Working with different Managers makes people think about how they are working and adapt to the changes that are in place and learn different skills with different people.
- I then was asked to support another service within Somerset Court as a second deputy. Again new skills to find as when working alongside a person on the same level its finding that level that is supportive of you both, learning from each other and working on strengths and weaknesses of each of you.
- This role then changed to Manager and Deputy. During this time as the deputy in this home, Covid happened. One of the most traumatic happenings for all but a time that we managed as a team to support each other and the people living in this service. Implementing a whole new way of life, being creative within this service to maintain some consistency. Though a very difficult period for all it was a time where everyone was there for each other, supporting colleagues and every person livening in the service. It was hard but it gave us an opportunity to lesson the pressures, expectations and to work really closely with the team and each person in a way that meant we were able to meet their needs but keep them safe throughout.
- During this time we went into consultations due to restructure and I was in the position of applying for technically the role I was doing.
- I was successful in this interview and then became deputy at Cherry Trees where I have worked since.
- Within my role I have worked closely with Managers of other services of the company as well as many external professionals.
- i have tried hard to keep moving with the times as it is very easy to become complacent or 'stuck'. I don't see where we are as being the place to stay I see that we should always be looking forward and seeing ways in which we can increase the level of fulfilment in each persons life.
- I am at present in the role of Acting Service Manager at cherry Trees which is something I would like to continue to be. During the 40+ years the role of Acting has been asked of me on many occasions, the role of mentoring others, supporting new deputies into their roles. all of these I have done without hesitation and feel that mostly to a good standard. I have made mistakes but feel that I have learned from these and used this as a positive and not as something to forget.
- I realise I have a lot to to learn still to fulfil the role but I have a good knowledge of the service and where to gain support when needed. I do not feel that in a role in this field we ever stop learning, changing perceptions, supporting forward.
Education
Skills
- For the role I am applying for I feel my best skills are around being able to communicate with people in a way that is suited to their needs rather than my own, that is not in a way that I feel is detrimental to my worth but in a way that mean we are able to move forward together and understand each other
- Working with people at the same time as managing them can be very difficult but with the right respect from both parties this is an areas that can be maintained
- I am a very patient person and feel that this is something I pull on regularly, seeing how others work and their needs, taking the time to find a way that is supportive but still ensures the outcome
- though I know I have a lot to learn I feel that I have the underpinning knowledge of the Service to be able to work with the upper management to move forward and create a service that is ensuring they are valued and that their wants and needs are understood Ensuring that we are compliant in all areas and that this is maintained
- As a person I am not afraid to ask others for help, admit that I am unsure some areas and ask to be shown, I don't see this as a weakness, we all need to learn
- I have some understanding of all the new systems that are coming in but by no means am I an expert, there are a lot of changes happening and these things will take time for us to become fluent in them
- I am calm in a crisis and feel that this is paramount within the type of field we work, ensuring that everyone is feeling safe even in a challenging situation
- I have over the years undertaken varied training in Supervision Management, recruitment, Disciplinarily procedures, investigations and as with all training this changes regularly and having a clear understanding in necessary which is why we have policies in place for us to follow
- I am willing to take on a challenge, to look at what we can do not stay as we are as its ok, there is so much that we can offer but sometimes we sit back because we feel safe where we are, change is not something everyone wants and at times I think we can all feel that way but given the opportunity to continue to support the people living in the services in the way they want is what we should be doing all we can to achieve
- I have a good relationship with all the families of people at Cherry Trees but also with families who are linked with other services
- I don't see that the role on offer is defined as Cherry Trees alone, I think that as service Managers we will be able to work together to provide places that people see as an aim to be on par with, somewhere that people look at and want a placement
- I have a good understanding of the processes and again will openly ask if unsure The framework in which are services comply should be part and parcel of everyday, embedding them clearly into our structure
- though in my role finances have not always been a part as far as the auditing etc I am aware of these processes and feel that with the understanding that it is now in my remit I would have no concerns in this area
- Though with he Deputy role a vast amount of regulatory expectations was undertaken by upper Management I feel that this is something I have some knowledge around and could gain any knowledge needed with support from my Manager
- I understand professional boundaries and confidentiality in all areas
- Most of all I do understand that there is a lot to be learnt and that things change and we need to change with them
Timeline
Acting Service manager
National Autistic Society
02.1985 - Current