Curriculum Vitae

PERSONAL PROFILE

Jean Catherine Bush

info@jcbushconsulting.com

M. 07840 642679

A professional Independent Health and Social Care Consultant/Independent Assessor/Care Expert/Case Manager/ Independent Social Worker with over 30 years’ experience working within health, social care and social work settings. I am well qualified in undertaking assessments and writing detailed reports for medical negligence, personal injury, birth injury, breach of duty, quantum care and Independent Social Work Reports for various client groups.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Brain injury, Visual Impairment, Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disability, Older People, Community Care, Complex Care Needs, Negligence in Care Homes, Adults with Incapacity, Children and Families, Human Rights, Mental Health, Best interests of the child, Quantum Care costs.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Certificate of Achievement – Safeguarding Course – Open University October 2022 Post Graduate Certificate Professional Studies in Education – Open University 2018 - 2019 Joint Experts Training – Bond Solon, London 2018 Witness Familiarisation – Bond Solon, London 2017 Excellence in Report Writing Skills – Bond Solon, 2016 Scottish Enterprise Academy Leadership Programme 2012 - 2013 Probationary Training – Open University (Scotland) 2009 – 2011 BA (Hons.)Social Work – Robert Gordon University 2005 - 2008 Diploma in District Nursing – Caledonian University 1986 - 1987 Introduction to the Humanities A101 – Open University 1985 - 1986 Registered General Nursing Certificate – Western College of Nursing (Glasgow) 1980 - 1983

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Registered by Scottish Social Services Council Registration number SCR-1136271 British Association of Social Workers - Membership number 093484 Brain Injury Social Work Group (BISWG) CORAM (BAAF) British Association of Adoption and Fostering - Membership

CAREER KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Independent Health and Social Care Consultant/Care Expert/ Case Manager JC Bush Consulting (UK) Jan 2015 - Present

• Assessment skills and report writing for care expert reports for personal injury and medical negligence cases, Quantum care costs.

• Independent Social Work Reports for various client groups.

• Case management services for all client groups with complex care and support needs. Legislative knowledge and understanding for vulnerable adults and those with incapacity.

Providing a human rights approach case management service which is person centred and outcome focused for all client groups with complex needs.

Court appearance as a Single Joint Expert in Court of Session, Edinburgh.

Independent Assessor and Independent Social Work Consultant. JC Bush Consulting (Contract) Oct 2018 – Ongoing for Local Authority (Edinburgh)

• To complete ‘assessment of need’ assessments, personal support plan and personal budget for adults who are vulnerable and are diagnosed with a complex learning disability and long term physical and mental health conditions and/complex disability. Conditions may include Prader Willi syndrome, Early onset Dementia, Epilepsy, Autism, ADHD, Aspergers condition. The service users live in the community and require intensive care and support to enable them to live with supported independence which requires 24-hour care and support.

• To support service users and their families in the decision-making process in choosing a new care and support provider whilst upholding their human rights and having their voice heard throughout the transition period and beyond.

• To promote the principles of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act and uphold a human rights approach throughout the transition period and beyond.

• To work in partnership with the new providers, local authority, NHS and statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure the best outcome for the service user and their family.

Associate Lecturer - Open University - Part time Jan 2009 - Ongoing

K102 (Introducing Health and Social Care) provides a broad introduction to care from the perspectives of those using services, carers and those working as health or social care professionals. There are case studies and examples from across a range of service user groups, including children, young people and their families; older people; and people with disabilities, including learning, mental health and physical impairments. The module also considers issues for people who encounter life challenges which result in contact with health or care services, such as homelessness, substance misuse, offending or migration.

The module introduces the student to theories from sociology, psychology and social policy that are relevant to health and social care. The module is relevant to services across the four nations of the UK and an introduction to the role of legislation and policy in care provision.

• Provide Tutor support to students via online, telephone and distance learning.

• Employ motivational and learning to learn techniques to keep student’s interest and curiosity to learn and understand.

• Support students with the following specific learning requirements: International students, disabled students, support students from underrepresented, marginalised and discriminated against demographics, students with caring responsibilities, students with English language difficulties, students who have a mental health condition, returning students who have failed to progress, student who require additional learning support because they suffer from Dyslexia.

• Monitor and support Students in their learning and understanding in signposting students to other additional opportunities on the virtual campus, provide regular online tutorials for student groups, throughout the module period. Provide one to one support sessions for individual students. Encourage and stimulate learning in tutor led forum activities.

• Adopt a fair and effective grading system in marking all students’ assignments during the module period and provide detailed and comprehensive feedback and support to enable the student to progress.

Trainee Expert Witness Dec 2013 - Dec 2014

• Undertook an in-house intensive training course for case management and expert witness role and responsibilities.

• Mentored, guided, and given continued professional support by a senior expert during probationary period.

• Shadowed opportunities of an expert during assessment and report writing.

• Performed analysis and scrutiny of various reports evidencing ‘key’ learning and understanding.

• Developed an understanding of legislation and landmark cases.

Independent Health and Social Care Consultant May 2012 - Dec 2014 AccessLife Scotland (UK)

• Implemented a business idea for an independent health and social care consultancy following an award from Firstport.

• Developed specialist knowledge, understanding and insight about health and social care policy and legislation.

• Created a network of professional links with the community, local authority, NHS, and voluntary / statutory agencies and developed a business model around care brokerage and self-directed support.

Graduate Social Worker - Perth and Kinross Council Mar 2009 - Apr 2012

• Assessed, monitored, reviewed, and evaluated the health, welfare and social care needs of adults with complex physical disability, chronic long-term conditions and enduring mental health conditions and those adults who are at risk of harm.

• Supported and empowered clients in making meaningful choices in respect to quality-of life outcomes.

• Worked in partnership with other members of the social work team: Mental Health Officer, Home Care Organiser, Occupational Therapist, Support Worker, Day Centre and Nursing Home Manager and the primary healthcare teams and other statutory / voluntary agencies.

• Carried out statutory social work duties on call, including crisis social work, guardianship, and vulnerable adult investigations for adults of risk of harm.

• Communicated effectively with individuals from different social, economic, and intellectual backgrounds.

• Devised care and support plans to enable individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

• Recommended and supported the decision-making process of service users and their families on the best course of action for improved and positive outcomes.

• Maintained accurate records and prepared reports.

Secondment by Perth and Kinross Council to study for BA(Hons) Social Work at Robert Gordon University whilst employed as Reviewing Officer from July 2005 - March 2009

First Student six-month placement:

• Langlees Family Centre, Langlees, Falkirk.

• Nurture group training, bumps and babies group, (Parenting classes) LAC Reviews, Supervising contact with birth parent and foster child, reduced caseload with vulnerable families

• Children and Families Team, Bainsford, Falkirk.

• Caseload: Children in Need, Addiction, Domestic abuse.

Reviewing Officer - Perth and Kinross Council Jan 2004 - Mar 2009

• Held responsibility for improving quality of care and maintaining national care standards within a long-term care setting.

• Undertook extensive reviews of the standards of personal care, welfare and support provision to clients funded by the Local Authority and who resided within a long-term care setting.

• Liaised with managers of failing care homes and conducted audits with scrutiny to investigate complaints and concerns of poor or deteriorating care standards.

• Applied excellent conflict management skills and provided mediation services between personnel and concerned families.

• Provided timely reports and recommendations to the Chief Social Worker.

Care Manager - Perth and Kinross Council Sep 2000 - Jan 2004

• Held responsibility for completing assessments for clients with health and social care needs.

• Implemented personalised care plans which were designed to support and maintain the health, welfare, and safety of the client within their own home.

• Managed a caseload of clients with complex care needs including individuals with disabilities, suffering from chronic long-term conditions, and deteriorating mental health conditions as well as many other vulnerable and ‘At Risk’ individuals.

• Continually monitored, reviewed, and evaluated client situations and frequently worked on complex and in ‘crisis’ cases.

• Liaised with care providers, statutory/voluntary agencies, and the Primary Health Care Team.

• Undertook assessments of individuals who had increased needs, were awaiting discharge from hospital or those who required to be transferred to a long-term care setting.

• Completed funding applications, made recommendations, and provided evidence to secure additional monies to support individuals accordingly.

Registered General Nurse - Scottish Care Homes Nov 1991 - Mar 2000

• Delivered quality nursing care to clients with complex health conditions residing in a long-term care setting and requiring 24-hour nursing care.

• Provided leadership and management to the care home team.

• Created and maintained accurate clinical records.

• Demonstrated clinical leadership and contributed to the development and delivery of a quality service.

District Nursing Sister - Forth Valley Health Board Jul 1987 - Nov 1991

• Delivered professional nursing skills and expertise to a diverse caseload of clients and their families with complex health and social care needs residing within their own homes in the community.

• Developed specialist knowledge and understanding of complex long-term conditions: Diabetes, pressure areas, multiple sclerosis, catastrophic injury, acquired brain injury, enduring mental health conditions, severe and deteriorating impairment / physical disability, and supported patients and their families accordingly.

• Coordinated the smooth running of practice room nurse duties and assisted the GP with minor surgical procedures whilst managing a caseload. Hosted various healthy living campaigns and elderly visiting scheme.

Staff Nurse - Forth Valley Health Board Jan 1984 - Sep 1986

• Delivered quality nursing care in the following care settings: frail elderly patients in Bannockburn Hospital; critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit, Stirling Royal Infirmary; Acute Medical Unit, Stirling Royal Infirmary.

• Managed an acute medical unit on night duty (Ward 10) at the Stirling Royal Infirmary.

• Provided mentorship to student nurses.