Biography:
I qualified as a general nurse in 1996, then specialised in mental health, qualifying in 1998 and developing an extensive mental health nursing career in both hospital based and community settings, working with young adults with first onset psychosis through to older adults with dementia and other mental health problems. I am a registered professional with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
My career includes nursing and practitioner roles both within the NHS, private sector facilities and voluntary community centre work in Sussex, Kent, Medway and London, which include crisis intervention and home treatment services.
My knowledge and experience to date includes the assessment of individuals with varied and complex health and social needs, including homelessness, substance and alcohol misuse, personality and eating disorders, vulnerability to exploitation, and challenging behaviours. I have experience of working with individuals with learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, dementia, traumatic brain injury, strokes, brain haemorrhages and acute delirium, within the diverse field of mental health nursing.
I have a thorough understanding of the importance of providing supportive services to individuals with a wide range of needs, advocating for their rights and enabling personal growth. I utilise my knowledge and experience to ensure my client’s needs and rights are properly addressed through ongoing holistic assessment, collaborative working, therapeutic evidence-based interventions and regular review of care programmes.
My experience of working with individuals with acquired brain injuries has developed throughout my nursing career, initially as a general nurse student on a neurosurgical ward and more extensively within my role as a liaison psychiatry practitioner within the general hospital and A&E setting.
Experience as a Case Manager:
I have been a Brain Injury Case Manager with Head First since September 2016 providing case management support to brain injured clients and their families, working with adults, teenagers and children. My role includes managing support worker packages, and working collaboratively with families, carers, therapists, statutory and wider services.
I manage a diverse caseload of clients, working with both adults and younger clients, within a very supportive and highly experienced team of brain injury case managers.
I have coordinated both home and hospital-based rehabilitation programmes, involving support worker teams and rehabilitation assistants, liaising closely with all those involved including the client, their family members, specialist neuro therapists, deputies, litigating solicitors, Court of Protection.
Within my role I provide detailed assessments and clinical documentation, such as risk assessments, support worker guidance, rehabilitation plans and initial assessments and manage regular multi-disciplinary team meetings and EHCP planning and reviews for school aged clients.
Establishing a therapeutic working relationship with clients and their families, based on open communication, honesty and trust is a vital part of my role.
I am passionate about my role in advocating for individuals and families, in ensuring that they have access to quality services that facilitate optimal rehabilitation and quality of life.
I am especially interested in the overlap between brain injury and mental health and promoting and supporting positive mental health remains crucial to my role.
Working with young people and their families has always been an area of interest, with previous experience as part of an early onset psychosis community team and joint working with CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) and statutory services with vulnerable adult clients and their families.
Additional Responsibilities:
I became a senior case manager in January 2000 in recognition of the level of work undertaken within my role at Head First and completed my assessment as a BABICM Advanced Registered Practitioner in November 2020.
Having previously provided a mentorship role, I became part of the clinical supervisor team in 2021 and currently provide clinical supervision to 2 of my case manager colleagues. With an extensive mental health background, I provide support and guidance on this area to my colleagues whenever required.
Professional Memberships:
BABICM Advanced Registered Practitioner Member
BABICM Children & Young People Group (CYPG) (No longer operational)
Specialism:
Brain Injury
Professional Registrations:
Registered Nurse (Adult) DIP HE (Nursing Studies) Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
NMC
Geographical areas covered:
Kent, Sussex, London and surrounding areas
