Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Morag Best

Morag Best

Summary

I am an enthusiastic paediatric occupational therapist, who has always had passion for working with children and particularly those that have additional needs. I have worked in community paediatrics, independent SI clinics and schools.

I completed a Masters degree in Occupational Therapist in 2014 and completed training as an Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner in 2017. I have since developed specialist skills working in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder and attachment.

I have completed additional training that has enabled me to work as a Registered Intermediary and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ( ADOS-2) assessor.

I am also currently undertaking the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) practicum to train as a DDP practitioner.

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Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work history

Registered Intermediary

Ministry of Justice
03.2022 - Current
  • Assessing the communication needs and strengths of vulnerable witnesses.
  • Supporting vulnerable witnesses to give coherent, complete and accurate witness statements.
  • Writing reports for both the police and court proceedings.

Clinical Mentor

Sensory Integration Network
01.2021 - Current
  • Providing clinical mentoring and case supervision to students completing their postgraduate training in Sensory Integration.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Assessor

Associate at Various
12.2020 - Current
  • Administering the ADOS-2 within various multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Administering the ADOS-2 with both children and adults.
  • Writing ADOS-2 diagnostic reports.
  • Delivering oral feedback to families, young people and adults.

Senior Clinical Specialist OT

Family Futures
North London
09.2017 - 11.2024
  • Clinical Specialist leading the development of a Trauma Informed Autism Assessment clinic
  • Multi disciplinary working with varied team members including psychotherapists, drama therapists, art therapists and clinical psychologists.
  • Development of a deeper understanding of attachment and the impact of adverse life experiences.
  • Applying knowledge of sensory processing and understanding development of sensory processing through critical periods in utero and after birth.
  • Assessment of children using the Sensory Integration Praxis Test
  • Delivering sensory integration therapy integrated with attachment theory, Theraplay and DDP.
  • Ability to form relationships with children and parents who have experienced developmental trauma.
  • Working as a key worker for families. Involving management of assessments, case work and funding streams.
  • Providing parent mentoring and therapeutic advice.
  • Delivering training to prospective adopters, professionals and families.


Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Beanstalk Children's Therapy
Chelmsford, Essex
01.2016 - 09.2017
  • Assessment and treatment of children between the ages of 0-17 who have a range of complex diagnoses, including both emotional, developmental and physical difficulties.
  • Proficient in administering the Sensory Integration Praxis Test, Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Test of Visual Perceptual Skills, The Beery Test of Visual Motor Integration (including the supplement assessments), Detailed Assessment of Handwriting Speed, The McMaster Handwriting Assessment, the Sensory Processing Measure and both the adolescent and care giver Sensory Profile.
  • Able to carry out Ayres Clinical Observations and other informal assessments.
  • School observations and interventions based within schools
  • Writing detailed reports with suitable recommendations including possible treatment strategies, adaptive equipment, further assessments required or environmental changes.
  • Provide weekly intervention utilising Ayres Sensory Integration in line with the fidelity measure.
  • Intervention also includes provision of adaptive equipment, changes to the environment, training of staff and care givers and specific handwriting instruction using sensory motor based approaches such as Handwriting Without Tears.
  • Deliver the Therapeutic Listening Programme
  • Management of own caseload and time, booking in clients, arranging school visits and setting aside time to complete administrative tasks.
  • Attend EHCP, case management and annual review meetings.
  • Supervise students from the University of Essex

Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Provide CIC
Moulsham Grange, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9AH
01.2015 - 02.2016
  • Worked with a wide range of diagnoses and difficulties within the community paediatric population.
  • Assessment of fine motor skills, sensory difficulties, child development and postural support.
  • Administration of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, The Test of Visual Perceptual Skills and the Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting.
  • Facilitated parent sensory consultations
  • Facilitated sensory sessions
  • Delivered both one to one and group interventions focusing on the development of fine motor, sensory processing and activities of daily living.
  • Home and school visits.
  • Management of a large case load independently, booking visits, keeping up to date when patients needed reviewing and prioritising administrative tasks.
  • Completed Occupational Therapy reports
  • Attended annual review, EHCP and MDT meetings.
  • Worked within a large team of different professions, sharing information and working collaboratively
  • Attended regular mandatory training - information governance, manual handling, child protection and first aid.

Personal Assistant

Karen Green
32 Sunrise Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 8XP
06.2007 - 01.2015
  • Providing respite/personal care for twin brothers who have a diagnosis of Autism from the age of 4 to 17.
  • Delivered a high standard of care when supporting clients with feeding, toilet training and organization of their daily tasks.
  • Demonstrated ability to alter my behaviour and actions in a way which will best benefit the children as well as being sensitive and knowledgeable of their needs.
  • Assisted in the implementation of their sensory diet as advised by their Occupational Therapist.
  • Provided therapy in the form of the Son Rise programme
  • Gained an invaluable insight into the daily life of families who have children diagnosed with ASD and the impact ASD has on occupational function.

Family Link Worker

St Josephs Specialist School and College
Cranleigh, Surrey
06.2011 - 08.2012
  • Family Link Worker based within a large specialist school and college which offered both a residential and day provision for children 5-19 with moderate to severe learning difficulties, including ASD.
  • Development of the new role and developing assessment and recording systems for each child and their family.
  • Worked closely with families, supporting them to access support networks and provided advice
  • Worked closely with the onsite Occupational Therapy team and assisted in the provision of an anger management group for parents
  • Arranged both home and school visits and developed my skills in conflict resolution whilst acting as an advocate for parents when communicating with the school.
  • Helped to organise charity events and coffee mornings, regularly liaising with other health care professionals and parents.
  • Frequently attended multi disciplinary meetings and contributed to reports.
  • Further developed knowledge of child protection and health and safety.
  • Gained further insight into the working dynamics of a school and how Occupational Therapy is delivered within a school setting.

Assistant Psychologist

National Autistic Society
Croydon Services, Coney Hall, 40A Croydon Road, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 9HT
09.2009 - 06.2010
  • Assistant Psychologist with adults who had a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Created documents containing details about each service user and the best ways in which staff should work with them.
  • Carried out a number of assessments including functional and motivational assessments.
  • Received training in the National Autistic Societies unique assessment of need tool.
  • Demonstrated ability to write comprehensive psychology reports which would be shared with health care professionals and external agencies.
  • Shared information and assessment results at multi disciplinary meetings, providing psychology input.
  • Worked closely with the service users, providing 1:1 and group sessions, working on topics such as anger, anxiety, social skills and skills of daily living.
  • Monitored incident rates within the service, providing monthly summaries and graphs.
  • Developed intervention strategies for clients with complex needs and a diagnosis of ASD.

Mental Health Worker

NHS
Ravendene, Brighton Road, Crawly, RH10 6AE
01.2008 - 09.2009
  • Provided CBT based therapy for adults suffering from mild to moderate depression or anxiety.
  • Provided therapy via the telephone, group sessions and one to one.
  • Utilised low intensity interventions using CBT and completing psychological assessments.
  • Developed Wellness Recovery Action Plan's with clients.
  • Became familiar with safeguarding policies.
  • Handled confidential information and learnt procedures to ensure confidential information is kept safe.
  • Developed close links with services in the community and signposted patients.
  • Worked as part of an MDT

Teaching Assistant

Columbus Specialist School and College
School Campus, Oliver Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4ZB
09.2005 - 09.2006
  • Teaching assistant within the Autism Base at a specialist school.
  • Assisted the class teacher in preparing work for the children as well as assisting them in the application of the chosen activities
  • Planned and lead classroom lessons.
  • Communicated with parents regarding their children's progress and updated them of any important events both face to face and in written form.
  • Ensured the safety and well being of the children in the class, including their personal care.
  • Supported children to complete their work, being sensitive to their needs and capabilities helping them to reach their full potential.
  • Use of TEACCH, PECS, First and Then boards and daily schedules.
  • Attended annual reviews, liaising with different agencies including social workers, respite teams, medical teams, parents and advocates.
  • Gained insight into the working dynamics of a specialist school.

Son Rise Volunteer

Jackie Sherlock
Home address
01.2004 - 01.2005
  • The Son Rise programme is a specialist intervention for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder which focuses on the adult adapting their communication and behaviour to meet the needs of the child in a way that supports the child to enjoy the interaction and seek out more interactions.
  • Delivered 1:1 sessions with non-verbal children.
  • Attended meetings fortnightly to discuss the child's progress and discussing activity ideas. T
  • Developed awareness of my own communication skills.
  • Created games which would capture the child's attention within the session, using knowledge of the child's interests to design something in the moment.

Education

MSc - Occupational Therapy

University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
09.2014

Bachelor of Science - Human Psychology

Aston University
Birmingham
07.2007

Skills

  • Strong verbal communication
  • Self-motivated
  • Able to work well within a team
  • Able to develop therapeutic relationships with children
  • Excellent empathy skills
  • Innovative ways of working
  • Keen to learn and share knowledge
  • Ability to sensitively discuss personal difficulties
  • Good written skills
  • Strong clinical reasoning
  • Motivation to develop professional skills

Certification

Member of College of Occupational Therapists

Member of the Sensory Integration Network

HCPC Certified OT70687

Occupational Therapy & Sensory Integration based training

  • Attended ' Is it ASD or is it Behaviour' SI Network
  • Attended 'Occupational Therapy and Play' SI Network
  • Attended 'Measuring the fidelity of Ayres Sensory Integration' SI Network
  • Trained in 'The Listening Programme'
  • Trained in 'Therapeutic Listening Programme'
  • Completed 'Rebound Therapy' training
  • Completed 'Sensory Integration Module 1' SI Network
  • Completed 'Sensory Integration Module 2&3' SI Network
  • Completed 'Sensory Integration Module 4' SI Network .
  • Completed 'Introduction to the Floortime Therapy Approach' Mindbuilders
  • Completed 'Constraint Induced Movement Therapy' Harrison Training
  • Attended Handwriting Without Tears 1 Day training course
  • Attended Sidney Chu's Occupational Therapy for Children With Handwriting Difficulties.
  • Completed The ALERT Programme - 'How does your engine run?'
  • Level 3 'Working with Parents' City and Guilds
  • Level 2 'Induction Award in Supporting People with a Learning Disability' City and Guilds
  • Attended Dyspraxia UK training
  • Attended Sensory Babies training
  • Attended 'A day on Interoception' - Sensory Spectacle
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS 2)
  • Women and Girls on the autism spectrum online training - National Autistic Society
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder 4 Digit Diagnostic Code
  • Registered Intermediary Training

Attachment Focused Training

  • Attended 'Troubled children, impact on mind, brain and behaviour' Centre for Child Mental Health
  • Attended 'Sensory Attachment Interventions: A day with Eadaoin Bhreathnach' Centre for Child Mental Health
  • Attended Sensory Attachment Intervention Level 1
    Attended Eadaoin Breathnach's SAI Report Writing
  • Attended training to assess using the Child Attachment and Play Assessment
  • Attended UCL conference 'The Future of Neuroscience, Attachment and Mentalization'
    Attended Brian Post Great Behavioural Breakdown
    Attended Family Futures Therapeutic Life Story Training
  • Attended Attachment and Relational Neuroscience informed
    Therapeutic Conversations - 2 day Workshop with Graham Music and Jeremy Holmes
  • Attended Living in Fog: Dissociation, Complex Trauma and PTSD with Christine Sanderson
  • Attended Formulation in Psychotherapy and Psychology A one-day workshop with Dr Lucy Johnstone
  • Awarded Certificate in Child Counselling Skills using The Arts - Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education
  • Attended Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Level 1 & 2
  • Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children: a time limited approach
  • Marschak Interaction Method (MIM) Skills Training with Dyadic Emotional Interaction Style scoring (D-EIS)
  • Theraplay Level 1

Timeline

Registered Intermediary

Ministry of Justice
03.2022 - Current

Clinical Mentor

Sensory Integration Network
01.2021 - Current

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Assessor

Associate at Various
12.2020 - Current

Senior Clinical Specialist OT

Family Futures
09.2017 - 11.2024

Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Beanstalk Children's Therapy
01.2016 - 09.2017

Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Provide CIC
01.2015 - 02.2016

Family Link Worker

St Josephs Specialist School and College
06.2011 - 08.2012

Assistant Psychologist

National Autistic Society
09.2009 - 06.2010

Mental Health Worker

NHS
01.2008 - 09.2009

Personal Assistant

Karen Green
06.2007 - 01.2015

Teaching Assistant

Columbus Specialist School and College
09.2005 - 09.2006

Son Rise Volunteer

Jackie Sherlock
01.2004 - 01.2005

MSc - Occupational Therapy

University of Essex

Bachelor of Science - Human Psychology

Aston University

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Morag Best