What is your background?
"I joined the Royal Blind School in 2010 after qualifying as a paediatric nurse from Edinburgh Napier University, and in 2016, I took on the Lead Nurse role."
“In 2021, I received a promotion within Sight Scotland into the new and developing role of Care and Nursing Service’s Manager.”
What are your responsibilities?
“I have operational responsibility for the provision and delivery of care, nursing and therapeutic support to children, young people and adults within residential services and the school setting.”
"I lead the residential, nursing and therapeutic care team and I directly manage the Senior Residential Care workers and Lead Nurse.”
“I maintain responsibility for the development and implementation of a Clinical Governance Framework, which will assure the delivery of safe, effective, person centred care to children, young people and adults supported by Sight Scotland. This also involves identifying trends by analysing data while ensuring that the service can demonstrate compliance with national care standards and is well prepared for any internal or external inspections and/or accreditations.”
“I also support the Head of Care/Corporate Safeguarding Lead in ensuring compliance and good practice in relation to safeguarding, identifying concerns and areas for development and improvement in relation assurance, reporting, policy, practice and training.”
What does an average day involve?
“I ensuring effective liaison takes place with those in our care, their relatives/carers, multi-disciplinary teams and health professionals as well as referring authorities.”
“I am involved in representing Sight Scotland at a range of external forums and ensuring effective communication takes place with the Care Inspectorate, professional bodies and other providers of services.”
“I endeavour to adhere to Sight Scotland’s Values and Ways of Working, within our organisational Policies and Procedures and core values in addition to those of your professional body to motivate staff, students and volunteers through support, coaching, encouragement and recognition of their value.”
“I oversee and monitor Care Plans, Monitoring and reporting on Key Performance Indicators and positive outcomes.”
“I work closely with the Head of Care, and the Learning and Development Manager to ensure that the training and development needs of the workforce are compliant with regulations and the organisations’ policies and procedures. This also involves regular supervisions and appraisals of Senior Staff.”
“I actively design and lead compliance audits and quality improvement with a focus on safety, person-centred and effective care and nursing, prioritising agreed high-risk areas, such as Infection Prevention and Control, personal protective equipment, medicine management, health and safety and key risk assessments.”
“I also recommend changes and updates as required, to policy and procedures in relation to health, medication, infection control and other relevant Sight Scotland policies.”
What do you enjoy about your work?
“I like having a such a trusting and reliable team around me, and how much support and encouragement is received”.
“You get the chance to build up a relationship and strong rapport with the young people, young adults and their families and get the privileged opportunity to follow each of them on their journey within Sight Scotland.”
“I love being part of such a qualified and skilful team that are also so caring. Sight Scotland have so much to offer and fulfil so many of the lives of the young people and young adults within our care.”
Current Vacancies
We're always looking for brilliant people to help us tackle sight loss. Are you ready to join the team?
Find out more
What other health professionals do you work with?
“On a day to day basis I work with different people and teams, these could be: Heads of Service; Directors; Senior Leadership and Management Teams; Service Users; Families; Colleagues; Other Sight Scotland services; Senior Staff."
You may also be interested in
Accommodation for children
We provide supported residential care for blind and partially sighted children and young people, including those with additional disabilities and health needs, at our Royal Blind School campus in Edinburgh.
The Royal Blind School
The Royal Blind School is Scotland’s leading provider of specialist learning to children and young people with visual impairment, including those with additional complex needs.
About us
For over 230 years, we have been supporting people impacted by visual impairment. We are one of Scotland's oldest charities and we're dedicated to empowering blind and partially sighted people to lead fulfilling lives.