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.
- Brain injury.
- Sensori-motor difficulties.
- Gross developmental delay.
- Children who have suffered trauma, bereavement and loss.
- Associated upper and lower limb amputations.
- Loss of services in fatal accident claims.
Specific Injuries Experience
Linda has significant experience working with children and adolescents with mental health issues, learning disabilities, sensory impairments, neurological conditions, brain injury and autism.
Linda has regularly worked 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 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 worked as a Specialist Occupational Therapist for Fife Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for over 19 years, working as part of a team of other professionals to ensure that children’s needs are met, as well as providing ongoing support to their families. Linda has provided treatment individually and in group sessions. Her post required 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. Linda was also part of a multi-disciplinary diagnostic team for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Linda has over 38 years’ experience as a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist in physical disability. During this time, she had significant experience working with children with brain injuries including Cerebral Palsy. Linda has also supported children with brain injuries in her role as a 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, and has given evidence at trial. 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 in excess of 75 Loss of Services reports to assist the court in determining the amount of damages payable in Fatal Accident Act claims. 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 has over 38 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.
For over 17 years, Linda worked as a Specialist Occupational Therapist for NHS Fife Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, supporting children and young people with a range of mental health difficulties and providing treatment and support using a variety of different approaches. She was also part of the multi-disciplinary teams who diagnose autism spectrum disorders.
Linda has also worked as a Case Manager with Novo Therapy and Care, supporting young clients with brain injuries and physical/psychological trauma.
Linda is able to travel extensively and has worked on many cases in England as well as Scotland.
Qualifications and Membership
- DipCOT, University of Ulster (1983).
- College of Occupational Therapists – Psychological Testing Certificate (1990).
- College of Occupational Therapists – Children with Motor Learning Difficulties Part 1 & 2 (1993).
- British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT).
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Career History
Present
Care & LOS Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co Limited
2019-2026
Case Manager
Novo Therapy and Care Limited
2006-2025
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Fife Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
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
2002-Present
Private Practitioner
Paediatric OT Services
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
Roles ranging from Basic Grade to Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Head Occupational Therapist
Rosslynlee Hospital and Royal Hospital, 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).