Specialisms
Extensive experience working with children and young adults aged 0-18 years with wide ranging disabilities including:
- Mental health.
- Learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.
- Autism spectrum disorder.
- Cerebral Palsy.
- Brain injury.
- Sensori-motor difficulties.
- Gross developmental delay.
- Children who have suffered trauma, bereavement and loss.
- Loss of services in fatal accident claims.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at March 2022, I am engaged in the role of Specialist Occupational Therapist for NHS Fife for an average of 60 hours per month. I also work as a Case Manager for Novo Therapy and Care for an average of 30 hours per month.
Signed
Specific Injuries Experience
Linda has significant experience working with children and adolescents with mental health issues, learning disabilities, sensory impairments, neurological conditions and autism. Linda works as part of a team of other professionals, to ensure that a child’s needs are met, as well as providing ongoing support to their families.
Linda provides treatment individually and in group sessions. Her post requires her to have a sound knowledge of child development, in order to be able to clearly differentiate between expected age-related development, and condition related difficulties.
For the past 12 years Linda has also been part of a multi-disciplinary diagnostic team for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Linda regularly works closely with children and young adults who have suffered from trauma, bereavement and loss. Mental health issues or behavioural problems can arise as a direct consequence of the trauma or loss, or may have already existed but become bigger issues as a result. Linda draws on this experience when preparing Loss of Service reports, relating to fatal accidents and misdiagnosis, where in many cases the remaining dependants are children or young adults with vulnerabilities and high needs of their own. Linda has written detailed reports quantifying the past services provided by the deceased to their dependants, as well as those that they would have provided in the future.
Linda has over 30 years’ prior experience as a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist in physical disability. During this time, she had significant experience working with children with traumatic and acquired brain injury including Cerebral Palsy. Linda continues to work with children with Cerebral Palsy and brain injury in her role as Case Manager.
Employment Profile
Linda has worked as an independent Expert Witness with Jacqueline Webb & Co since 2007 and has extensive experience of medico-legal report writing. She has participated in numerous pre-trial conferences and expert meetings. Throughout her career, a key aspect of her role has been writing detailed assessment and care planning reports on children with a range of special needs. She has also prepared Loss of Services reports to assist the court in determining the amount of damages payable in a Fatal Accident Act claim. Linda has written detailed reports quantifying the past services provided by the deceased to their dependants, as well as those that they would have provided in future. She has also written reports for the NHS National Services Scotland.
Linda works as a Specialist Occupational Therapist for NHS Fife Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. She works with children and young people with a range of mental health difficulties to provide treatment and support using a variety of different approaches. She is also part of the multi-disciplinary teams who diagnose autism spectrum disorders.
Linda also works as a Case Manager with Novo Therapy and Care, supporting young clients with Cerebral Palsy, brain injury and physical/psychological trauma.
Linda has over 30 years’ experience as an Occupational Therapist working with children who have a range of physical disabilities, along with a wealth of experience in the social and emotional impact such disabilities can cause children and their families.
Since qualifying as an Occupational Therapist in 1983, most of her career has been spent in the specialist field of paediatrics. She has worked in National Health Service and Social Services settings, carrying out assessment, care planning and treatment of children who have a wide range of special needs. She has recommended equipment needs and housing adaptations and has experience in planning for the transition of physically disabled pupils into secondary school.
Linda is able to travel extensively and has worked on many cases in England as well as Scotland.
Qualifications and Membership
- Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists (DipCOT), University of Ulster (1983).
- College of Occupational Therapists – Psychological Testing Certificate (1990).
- Member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- College of Occupational Therapists – Children with Motor Learning Difficulties Part 1 & 2 (1993).
- Royal College Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
Career History
Present
Care Expert
Jacqueline Webb & Company Ltd
2019-Present
Assistant Case Manager
Novo Therapy and Care Limited
2006-Present
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Fife Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
2002-Present
Private Practitioner
Paediatric OT Services
2013-2014
Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Perth Royal Infirmary
2006-2011
Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Perth Royal Infirmary
2005-2006
Locum Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Carnegie Clinic, Fife
2004-2005
Locum Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Adamson Hospital
2001
Locum Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Armistead Child Developmental Centre
1998-2003
Locum Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Perth Royal Infirmary
1992-1994
Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Frimley Children’s Centre
1983-1992
Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Head Occupational Therapist
Edinburgh and Basingstoke and North Hants Community Care Unit
Publications
Linda has had an article published.
Article:
- Booklet for education staff in the pre-school setting entitled ‘Sensory Steps’ – funded by Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust (2002).