Alex Mulholland

Name. Alex Mulholland.

Email. alex.mulholland@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Telephone (Mobile)+44 7917 410489

Address.1 Torr-Aluinn

114 Bullwood Road

PA23 7QN Dunoon. Argyll. Scotland. UK.

Current post. Low Vision Rehabilitation Officer. (ROVI)
Employer. Argyll and Bute Council Social Work and NHS partnership Sensory Impairment Team.

In 2016 i was asked by my employer Argyll and Bute Council to join Argyll and Bute Sensory Impairment Team. I gained a Graduate Diploma in Low Vision Rehabilitation at Glasgow Caledonia University. Since the i have worked throughout Argyll and Bute in NHS and council partnership providing low vision rehabilitation. Argyll and Bute is the 2nd largest Council in Scotland and with a population of around 90,000 and is described as remote/ rural with 23 inhabited islands within the Inner Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland. The three most highly populated areas and towns of Oban Helensburgh & Campbelltown are where most of the referrals are activated by hospitals or Ophthalmology and eye clinics etc.

I am responsible for carrying out low vision assessment and formulating lesson plans for the three main aspects of low vision rehab, Orientation and Mobility, Daily Living tasks and communication. I am able to carry out low vision assessment with both adults and children.

I have had responsibility for Developing comprehensive low vision rehabilitation programmes incorporating adaptive accessible communication technologies and resources to address diverse client needs effectively. Accessibility in communication has played a large part over the past few years of low vision rehabilitation and teaching clients with sight loss how to use accessibility features on electronic devices has been paramount in low vision rehab recently. Braille has played a small part in this, and some low vision clients/patients do express an interest in learning Braille.

In 2016 i was asked to join Argyll and Bute Sensory Impairment Team and gained a Graduate Diploma in Low Vision Rehabilitation at Glasgow Caledonia University. Since the i have worked throughout Argyll and Bute in NHS and council partnership providing low vision rehabilitation. Argyll and Bute is the 2nd largest Council in Scotland and with a population of around 90,000 described as remote and rural with 23 inhabited islands within the Inner Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland. The two most highly populated areas and towns of Oban and Helensburgh are where most of the referrals are activated by hospitals or Ophthalmology and eye clinics etc.

I am responsible for carrying out low vision assessment and formulating lesson plans for the three main aspects of low vision rehab, Orientation and Mobility, Daily Living tasks and communication.

I have had responsibility for Developing comprehensive low vision rehabilitation programmes incorporating adaptive accessible communication technologies and resources to address diverse client needs effectively. Accessibility in communication has played a large part over the past few years of low vision rehabilitation and teaching clients with sight loss how to use accessibility features on electronic devices has been paramount in low vision rehab recently. Braille has played a small part in this, and some low vision clients/patients do express an interest in learning Braille. I have developed close links with other Sensory Teams throughout Scotland & England and work closely with a wide range of Sight Loss Charities RNIB, VISIBILITY SCOTLAND, MACULAR SOCIETY to name a few.

• I have continuously maintained high standards of personal conduct, contributing to a positive work environment within the social work sensory impairment team and out with this team.
• I have actively participated in community engagement and training initiatives, working closely with NHS and other statutory and 3rd sector organisations. I have set up and established low vision peer support groups throughout Argyll where groups now meet up on a regular basis. I have been able to provide support and training within social work and NHS teams with any low vision rehabilitation and education.
• I achieved timely responses to low vision and sight loss referrals, enhancing support services if required.
• I have delivered effective emergency response efforts by strictly following established protocols with any urgent low vision or sight loss referrals. This may be from hospital discharge teams etc.
• I have fostered a positive work environment, ensuring high standards of personal conduct within my team.
• I have driven community initiatives, significantly increasing local participation and low vision or sight loss awareness.

I have facilitated team efficiency through implementation of regular training sessions. I have mentored and supervised university student through graduate diploma training.

· I constantly liaised closely with external agencies such as social services, NHS and housing departments, providing comprehensive support for individuals with low vision or sight loss.

· I am able to managed multiple tasks efficiently under pressure, utilising strong problem-solving skills to uphold quality standards with all aspects of social care and low vision rehabilitation.

Guide Dogs. Orientation and Mobility specialist.

During a fairly short period of 6 months working as an orientation and Mobility specialist with guide Dogs UK. I travelled Scotland wide to provide orientation and Mobility to a wide range of clients with different levels of sight loss and low vision needs. The main objective of this post was to assess individual clients need for a Guide Dog and to establish the long-term need for this. This could be a complex assessment looking into the direct benefits and needs of the individual of owning and using a Guide Dog. Access to work also played a part in this as did accessing public transport etc. I left guide dogs when my previous employer asked if I could return to mentor and supervise another member of staff through university which I agreed to.

ARGYLL & BUTE.. ADULT COMMUNITY CARE TEAM. COMMUNITY CARE WORKER/ CASE MANAGER. Department: SOCIAL WORK.

I have worked in Adult Community care since 1983. In 1983 I commenced work as a Senior Care Officer with Strathclyde Regional Council working in a Respite Care Centre providing care and support for young adults with a variety of health and learning and sensory difficulties. I was responsible for the implementation of short-term respite care plans administration of medication and supervision of the care team. I worked in this position for many years and was seconded to various establishments throughout Strathclyde Council namely Glasgow, Clydebank, Helensburgh, Oban, Dumbarton in the duration of my time working in this post. Following the breakup Strathclyde Regional Council I as a Senior member of staff along with the manager of the Respite unit were asked to set up Day Care Services for "Adults" in the Dunoon and surrounding area. This was set up quickly and was a successful well used service for many years. Since then I have worked in the local Area Social Work Adult Care Team office in Dunoon. I have gained a great deal of experience care managing for a wide range of vulnerable client groups within the adult care team. From substance misuse, Learning Disability, Dementia and general mainstream social work and social care. I have taken full advantage and opportunity over the years to take part in any training available. AP (Adult protection) etc. During my time in area team, I have worked in The Homecare Procurement Team for 6 months, The Hospital Discharge Team . Since 2015 I have worked within the Sensory Impairment Team providing support and re-ablement to adults and children who have experienced sight loss. During this time, I attended Glasgow Caledonian University and gained a Graduate Diploma in Low Vision Rehabilitation.

COMUNITY SOCIAL CARE WORKER. ARGYLL & BUTE.. ADULT COMMUNITY CARE TEAM. Dunoon. Argyll. Postcode PA23 7QN

Education: Qualification Type HNC HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE. MERRIT.

Qualification Type SVQ LEVEL 4. Subject and Result ELEMENT COMPLETED.

Qualification Type OPEN UNIVERSITY. Subject and Result PATTERNS FOR LIVING.

Qualification Type CCETSW. COURSE IN SOCIAL CARE. A .1 YEAR. Qualification

Qualification Type SQA Subject and Result ADULT PROTECTION. PASS.

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Conduct assessments and develop personalised strategies for orientation and mobility, utilising techniques tailored for individuals with sight loss and low vision. Provide orientation and mobility training to empower patients with sight loss and low vision to navigate their environment safely.

Main objective of this post was to identify prospective Guide Dog owners users and to identify the long term benefits of being a guide dog owner for those individuals.

• Participated in international and external meeting and communication to identify appropriate potential agencies who would be able to provide a high standard of service at an affordable cost to local authority.
• Implemented new procurement strategies, enhancing overall business performance.
• Streamlined communication between department and suppliers for smoother transactions.
• Developed supplier performance evaluation and reviewing program for improved service quality.

• Managed complex caseloads to deliver high-quality social care services.
• Adhered to all relevant legislation whilst carrying out duties, upholding professional standards.
• Performed crisis intervention tasks during emergencies maintaining calm environment.
• Ensured service user safety by monitoring and providing personal care.
• Mentored junior staff members leading to enhanced skill development and performance improvement.
• Fostered positive relationships with service users through empathetic communication.
• Assisted in daily living activities for increased independence of service users.
• Liaised with family members for effective communication regarding the progress of service users.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, achieving cohesive patient care strategies.
• Maintained detailed records documenting progress or changes in service user's conditions.
• Implemented safeguarding procedures, decreasing risk factors for vulnerable individuals.
• Managed challenging behaviours through implementation of effective behaviour management strategies.
• Provided emotional support to service users, promoting mental health stability.