My year learning the (he)art of governance

Here at Juno, we really believe in the power of lived experience, not as an afterthought but throughout our practice. With that in mind, Expert by Experience and NED Sherrie Austin reflects on their time learning from our board. 

A little over a year ago I was given the opportunity to join Juno’s board in a learning position, so that I could understand more about how Juno exists in a practical sense… what does good governance look like in children’s social care? What is the role of lived experience in this space?  

For context, I was taken into the care system when I was 6 years old. Since then, my local authority has been making decisions for me that would fundamentally shape how my life plays out. For better or worse.   

Naturally, I’ve been interested in who makes the decisions and why. Why do people who don’t know me or the reality of my life (beyond the wellbeing questionnaires) get to flog my future to the cheapest bidder? Why are they allowed to continue to deliver poor outcomes for children in care? Who cares enough to try and change this?   

Then I got the chance to see Juno’s board in action. I have been privileged enough to watch the phenomenal Amaka and Anna approach safeguarding in a way that meets people where they’re at with empathy and grace. Never coddling though, staying realistic and grounded in their advice and guidance.   

I’ve seen how important it is to learn from the people around us like Chris C, Chris W and Phil, not only with their years of dedicated experience but with a moral compass that has managed to withstand those years and maintain enough hopeful energy to carry through even the most cynical of us (this might be me) on the harder days.

Watching how Sarah and Suzie hold Juno’s finances. Numbers were never my strong point, but they share what’s happening in an accessible way. They challenge Juno to stay grounded in our optimism and keep us going strong, believing in the courage and brave ideas that Juno strives to deliver.  Our Chair, Craig has always been enthusiastically open to positive change, while staying focused on the task at hand. There are many nuggets of wisdom he's shared with me but one thing in particular stuck with me, he told me to stop back asking. I'm sure I'm not the only one guilty of asking something, only to follow it with "but no worries if not". Craig reassured me that it's okay to ask things, there is no judgement, just learning opportunities.

Then there’s the brilliant Sophie. I could talk for hours about how much I have learnt from her. Not just in a professional sense.   

When care experienced people do ‘well’ it’s often down to one person having a bit of faith that they can be more. Sophie is that person for me and I imagine a lot of people who are lucky enough to cross paths with her.  Not only does Sophie show the importance of truly believing in the power of lived experience, of hearing and actioning real change. But she lives it with us and holds us in the hardest moments.

I can’t imagine where I would be now if I hadn’t met the Juno team, but I can promise you that being a non-executive director of a place like Juno would never even occur to me to aim for! Since joining the board I feel more confident in board meetings, I have a deeper understanding of how the organisation runs as a business alongside being much more aware of how multi-faceted things are. I still have a lot to learn and I am excited to continue working and learning from the brilliant, honest and patient team here at Juno.

Want to learn more about our Experts by Experience?

Check out Episode 9: Co-production in public service design with We Are Juno