At Voyage Care, we are dedicated to providing the best quality care to those living with Prader-Willi syndrome, that’s why we have developed the Prader-Willi syndrome professionals group.
This is an expert forum that will connect managers, employees, family members and professionals that support people with Prader-Willi syndrome to share experiences, learn from best practice and develop the best possible outcomes for people with the syndrome.
What are the objectives of the Prader-Willi syndrome professionals group?
Our professionals group is designed to offer insight that will help Voyage Care to provide industry leading care and support for those with Prader-Willi syndrome by:
- Sharing experiences and best practice with a view to improving outcomes for people we support with Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Working with the Prader-Will syndrome Association (PWSA) and to provide feedback from local PWSA forums.
- Gaining an insight into breakthroughs and research by attending conferences, training events and reading publications and sharing the findings from these.
- Promoting success stories that support shared learning and the development of better outcomes for people we support with Prader-Willi syndrome.
How will the Prader-Willi syndrome professionals group achieve their goals?
The group will engage staff and the people we support by:
- Delivering all information and intelligence gained via a regular email for both the Prader-Willi syndrome professionals group and for all care homes and community hubs supporting people with Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Attending the Prader-Willi syndrome Association’s (PWSA) forum to gather and contribute to feedback and sharing this feedback with the professionals group, staff and families.
- Reviewing any new research or guidance relating to the syndrome and updating the Policy and Procedure regularly to reflect this.
Our Prader-Willi syndrome experts
Karina Johnson, Quality Development Manager
Karina has a wealth of experience in the care sector, having worked in health and social care for 44 years. She has nursing knowledge (RNLD) and is an expert in learning disability, mental health and neuropsychiatry and brain injury services. As Quality Development Manager, she has used her prior experience to develop the Prader-Willi syndrome specialism at Voyage Care.
Over the last few months the Quality Development Team have led the implementation of the Prader-Willi syndrome action plan, working closely with other colleagues to develop the Prader-Willi syndrome policy and procedure and the necessary collateral to support the provision of outstanding care to people with Prader-Willi syndrome.
Shelley Gray, Quality Improvement Manager
Shelley has an abundance of knowledge and experience of working within community settings. She is a dedicated and passionate member of Voyage Care staff that has pursued a career in supporting people with a wide spectrum of disabilities.
Shelley has played an integral part in developing the company’s Prader-Willi syndrome specialism; completing Prader-Willi syndrome training with the Prader-Willi syndrome Association (PWSA) to support this.
Abigail Burks-Lloyd, Quality and Compliance Manager
Abigail has worked in the care sector for 31 years, starting her career off as a support worker, predominantly supporting those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and brain injuries.
Throughout her career, Abigail has worked with several people living with Prader-Willi syndrome, with direct experience of supporting three people with Prader-Willi syndrome as a manager at a Voyage Care home.
Nicola Jones, Clinical Improvement Manager
Nicola has a nursing background (RNLD) and has been a manager in the health and social care sector for over 31 years. Nicola has supported individuals who have had a diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome and knows what is required to provide great quality care and support. She has also completed Prader-Willi syndrome training with the PWSA.
Nicola has offered her advice to assist in the development of the Prader-Willi syndrome policy and procedure. She believes that this will enable Voyage care to deliver person–centred support whilst addressing individual’s needs and developing positive outcomes for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.
Steve Turner, Behaviour Support Practitioner
Steve has worked in the NHS and the private care sector for a number of years and has plenty of clinical experience. He joined the Voyage Care team in 2015 as a behaviour support practitioner and provides behavioural advice, training and support for staff to improve the lives of the people we support.
Steve has completed training delivered by the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (PWSA) and he supports a small number of people who have the syndrome. He thinks the Prader-Willi specialism is a great addition to our support framework and believes it will improve our understanding around the complexity of the syndrome.
Rosie Burke, Head of Marketing
Rosie leads our marketing team, her role on the Prader-Willi syndrome professionals group is to develop effective marketing and communications for the people we support, their families and people who are looking for support.
She’s passionate about making information accessible for all and has been instrumental in delivering the launch of the specialism.
Before moving into marketing, Rosie was a teacher and provided support for adults with learning disabilities to access education.
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