Case Manager, over 10 years supporting individuals with Acquired Brain Injury, Stroke and Neurological Conditions.Areas of expertise include: Home Care, Community and Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Northern Neurological Alliance was founded as a voluntary organisation in 2010 and became established as a charity and company limited by guarantee and in 2011.We work with range of brain and spine charities, networks and forums to campaign locally and nationally for better services for people with a neurological condition. Our aim is to help people affected by all neurological conditions influence policy, service design and delivery so that they can live well with access to the support and assistance when they feel this is needed.Neurological conditions are caused by damage to the nervous system which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscle tissue. Conditions that affect the nervous system are most commonly caused by vascular difficulties, injury, infection, loss of oxygen to the brain or as a result of illness. In a number of conditions the cause is not clearly identified although in some there may be an inherited susceptibility. Neurological conditions include stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Huntington’s disease, brain injury and epilepsy but there are many others. They can occur at any time and affect the people who have a neurological condition and their families in many different ways

Member of the Rehab Group senior management team; reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer of Rehab Group. Operational responsibility for all Brain Injury services across England including two CQC registered care services, two Community Rehabilitation and two Vocational Rehabilitation projects. Directly line manage of all local service managers in England providing operational support and performance management against quality and financial targets. in 2015 / 2016 I led the development of a new innovative service model for individuals with a Neurological Condition in the North East of England which secured over £600,000 of funding over 3 years.

Reporting to Scotland Area Manager, the role covered the operational and contractual management of all brain injury services in Scotland and North East England. Line management responsibility for 3 service managers, my main duty was to ensure that contractual requirements were met. In particular all outcome targets, quality frameworks and service user experiences were to the required standard, and reported to service commissioners for contracts held across Scotland. Building positive working relationships with all service commissioners a key role to ensure future commissioning and development opportunities.

Headway Tynedale is run by a number of volunteers are group members all who are committed to ensuring individuals and families affected by brain injury in the West Tyne Valley receive the information and support they require. That can come in the form of professional support, or the support of another member who has also experienced a brain injury.Headway Tynedale is run by the committee of which all group members are encouraged to be a part of. Headway Tynedale is one of a network of local Groups and Branches throughout the UK. While Headway Tynedale offers social integration, peer support and carer support; Headway branches throughout the country offer a range of services including:•Rehabilitation programmes.•carer support.•social re-integration.•community outreach.•respite care.

Day to day operational management development of Momentum North East Services. Responsible for the development of commissioning and contract performance in order to meet National Service Framework requirements. Negotiate service level agreements with North East statutory services in order to meet the needs of individuals within the North East who have experienced an Acquired Brain Injury or diagnosis of Neurological Condition.Manage the delivery and expansion of current services, including the 'Changing Lives' Community Integration Service which is delivered in partnership with The Stroke Association.Develop links and partnerships with legal professionals alongside our consultant clinical neuropsychologist in order to prepare and deliver bespoke personal development and psychology services to those pursuing legal settlements following an Acquired Brain Injury.Tender and develop new innovative services tailored to meet the needs of our specialist client group, compiling service development proposals and associated success criteria to monitor implementation processes.Complete yearly budget setting, ensuring that all staff adhere to strict guidelines, agree resource priorities and accountability framework.Line management and personal development of the teams with the North East and overseeing any other HR related issues.Ensure all performance related targets are met across all services, implementing relevant measurement tools such as BICRO-39 and Outcome STAR to provide quantative and qualative data on the positive impacts of the services to those accessing.Co-ordinate all internal audit compliance mechanisms and ensure all recording information complies with contracts.Ensure business systems are consistent with the ethical and legal frame work of the charity.

Provided support, predominately on a one-to-one basis, in the work place, to enable individuals with an acquired brain injury / neurological condition to gradually cope with the demands of a specific job unassisted. Worked with employed and unemployed individuals, to increase vocational activity, reduce social isolation and break down barriers to employment. Supported individuals to explore their vocational options, assist with job seeking behaviour and activities, C.V. preparation and to identify suitable work experience placements and jobs on behalf of clients.Participate, as a member of the vocational rehabilitation team, in the development of specific programme plans for individual clients.Liaise with actual and potential placement providers. This will involve identifying and negotiating placements/jobs on behalf off the clients, providing first line advice and support for employers and work colleagues of clients as and when required.Conduct health and safety assessments of the work placement as required.Perform detailed placement/job analysis within the work place, the results of which will facilitate the development of individuals.Accompany clients, on a one-to-one daily basis, to their identified workplace and implement a planned training programme with the client and work colleagues. Assist clients to develop an effective vocational plan by providing vocational exploration, guidance and support.Participate in centre based training sessions relating to effective job seeking and job keeping behaviour, role playing on-the-job work conflict situations, general sessions on work related issues and simulation of on-the-job activities to give the client the opportunity to practice activities.Liaise with appropriate professionals from external organisations and with potential or actual employers, as required.