Karen James

• Cerebral Palsy
• Complex long term neurological and physical disabilities
• Discharge Planning
• Managing and working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Managing Care Teams
• Mental Capacity Assessment
• Palliative Care

• Compassionate and empathetic
• Strong advocate for clients
• Working with families
• Managing effective therapy and support packages
• Defining clear goals and outcome reporting
• Dynamic with strong communication skills

I am an experienced Social Worker with extensive experience working with both disabled children and adults in a variety of settings, both in hospitals and in the community. I enjoy direct work with my clients and their support teams and value the contributions of all members of the multi-disciplinary teams with whom I work.  As a trained and qualified counsellor I pride myself on actively listening to all of my clients to determine what is most important to them and I aim to keep their priorities at the centre of all that I do.

Charity for children with life-limiting illnesses – Freelance Counsellor, Ongoing

Providing counselling sessions for children and young people with a life limiting illness and their family members

July 2023 – October 2024

East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, Surrey – Hospital Social Worker

Involved in discharge planning, mental capacity assessments, best interest decision meetings and liaison with relevant community agencies

March 2021 – January 2023

St Peter and St James Hospice, Chailey, East Sussex – Head of Supportive Care

Leadership of the hospice supportive care services, management of the team including recruitment, supervision and appraisals. Safeguarding lead.

January 2004 – July 2010

Children with Disabilities Team, Kent County Council – Social Worker

Assessments and provision of care support and respite services for children and young people with a physical and/or learning disability, including life limiting illnesses

Diploma in Social Work

Diploma in Counselling

Diploma in Aromatherapy, Anatomy and Physiology

Registered Practitioner, British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management (BABICM)

Areas of Special Knowledge and Interest

Registered with Social Work England

Member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – BACP

Motor Neurone Disease – current NICE guidelines development panel

Experience in Palliative Care, Bereavement and Anticipatory Grief

Karen is committed to maintaining her skills and abilities and engages readily in varied training supported by ILS Case Management which includes the following areas:

• Capacity and Consent
• Safeguarding Training
• Recruitment and Employment
• Litigation
• Management of Risk
• Moving and Handling
• GDPR