DCP South West Branch

I am pleased to be able to support our professional body. I moved to work in Dorset after qualifying from Birmingham University in 1990. I started in neuro and LD teams then became the first clinical psychologist in CAMHS three years later. 

In 1994, GP Fundholding gave me the opportunity to develop a primary care service for children, young people and their families because I felt strongly that the most effective and efficient service had to be based in the communities we served and accessible to all. We showed that working closely with colleagues in universal services by building relationships and enhancing the psychological component of their work, that psychologists are a resource beyond one-to-one therapy.  

In 1998, I developed Specialist CAMHS, co-located with adoption, fostering and care leavers' teams in the three councils in Dorset, and advised commissioners seeking highly specialist services for young people with complex needs. We set up a paediatric psychology service in Poole Hospital which now has a vibrant team across specialties.

Being able to connect with other psychologists in the BPS (through conferences, different faculties, The Forum and latterly, webinars) facilitated learning about different models, as well as sharing experiences in a mutually supportive way - a lifeline at times when it felt like I was a lone voice advocating for a compassion-focused service for our vulnerable clients. I am now working in a staff wellbeing hub (for health and social care workers), which should be integral to all services, a stance that is strongly promoted by the BPS.

I qualified from Exeter University as a clinical and community psychologist in 2004. After working in adult mental health for 18 months, the rest of my career has been spent in CAMHS.

For the last ten years I have specialised in working with children in care, foster carers and social workers.

I have recently taken up a consultant role where I am leading the development of child, young people and parent/carer involvement in our services, supporting our primary mental health and early help teams as well as continuing to work clinically in a community team.

I have been involved with the DCP SW Committee in a variety of roles since it was re-established and have been co-chair with Laila Jamil since October 2021. I have appreciated the opportunity to work alongside and learn from other psychologists in the region through my committee roles. 

As co-chair, I am enjoying being part of the DCP England committee, working with other DCP branch chairs and contributing to DCP developments. I am passionate about the voices of people with lived experience influencing service development and am keen that we as a committee improve this, as well as reaching out to our members to hear from you about what you would like your local branch to be doing.