• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (2014).
• People Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate (2019).
• Health and Care Professions Council: Registered Occupational Therapist.
• University of Worcester Occupational Therapist (OT) Practice Educator.
• Diploma in Occupational Therapy (1992).
• British Association of Occupational Therapists Membership.
• Royal College of Occupational Therapy Specialist Sections Memberships: Older People & Independent Practice.
• Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand: Registered Occupational Therapist.
• BABICM Registered Practitioner

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Karen has 28 years of experience in practice as an Occupational Therapist and works as a Case Manager with children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. She has worked across Local Authority (Adult Social Care), and the National Health Service (NHS) Acute, rehabilitation and community settings; including 12 years in a dual therapist and leadership role, advocating and ensuring best practice, and service development involving close collaboration with third sector providers and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Karen’s skills and experience enable her to provide effective case management for clients of all ages with the following:

• Spinal Injury: all levels.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: including Complex Care needs.
• Orthopaedic Injuries.
• Amputees.
• Progressive Neurological Diseases.
• Respiratory Diseases.
• Palliative & End of Life Care.
• Cerebral Palsy.
• Cerebral Vascular Accidents (CVAs / Strokes).
• Learning Disabilities.
• Elderly Care.
• Carcinomas (Cancers)

Additionally, Karen regularly undertakes:

• Moving and Handling Assessments & Training.
• Management of Adaptations and Specialist Equipment Provision.
• Liaising with statutory services regarding Equipment, Continuing Health Care, Social Care Funding and Personalised Health / Care Budgets.
• Collaborative Service Development and Design, working closely with all stakeholders including client, family, statutory agencies, CCG, third sector and independent bodies.
• Sourcing independent therapy and care providers to meet specific client needs and recruiting directly employed support staff.
• Liaising with education and therapeutic providers in support of the Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP).

Karen ensures her skills and knowledge remains current through a variety of continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities and can provide a methodical analysis of a situation and research appropriate treatments, interventions and solutions. She has undertaken the Community Case Management Services’ comprehensive training course to include the understanding of the litigation process.

Karen’s clinical expertise includes working with adults and children with acquired and / or progressive physical disabilities, with a particular interest in rehabilitation. Karen has worked on complex and bespoke housing solutions, including for a family with a child who was ventilator dependent. This involved liaising with the local authority, architects, specialist spinal injury units and equipment suppliers.

Karen has worked as a Stroke Occupational Therapist with adults from the acute onset / diagnosis through inpatient treatment and community rehabilitation. As well as providing equipment for people who have progressive neurological conditions or acquired brain injury.

Karen has all the attributes of an experience and skilled case manager.  She has the knowledge of planning, implementing, and auditing services, as well as experience in recruitment, training and supervision of care teams.