Della Smith-Rawlins

Background

About Della Smith-Rawlins

Personal Philosophy: I believe that it is my responsibility to ensure that people are valued when interacting. I work hard at building positive, nurturing relationships as I feel that clients, parents and staff need to know that they can trust me and that I am genuinely interested in their wellbeing. None of my management strategies, however strong, will be effective without this basic foundation and it is central to my professionalism. My aim is to create a culture in my professional relationships where every person wants and achieves some success, even if this is means reaching a different level of learning than others. I understand that not all people have the same ability, but that step-by-step they can improve and experience the sense of satisfaction and pride this brings. Even the smallest successes can be extremely motivating and cultivate a willingness to keep trying. This is also crucial for staff development and a Department in which there is harmony, collegiality and satisfaction. I am passionate about encouraging staff to reach their fullest potential so I work hard at being a positive role model in an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking and encourages questioning. I encourage each client and colleague by being approachable and supportive of different experiences and perspectives.