Jan Harrison is an occupational therapist with over twenty-nine years experience of assisting individuals with injury or illness to manage resultant disability. She has special experience in a full range of neurological conditions and has also worked in Australia and Germany. She has been preparing reports for legal purposes since 1986, assisting in establishing the needs of disabled and injured people.

From 1980 she worked at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, latterly as Lead Professional Occupational Therapy Advisor. She has a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation studies and lectures widely. She has undertaken research projects. She is one of only three UK tutors of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), an internationally recognised method of ascertaining a person's level of function in daily living activities.
Past work includes:

• Chair of a working group on behalf of the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) to establish OT Standards in Brain Injury
• Part of CMSUK working group to establish Standards in Case Management
• Development and implementation of a ‘Needs at Work’ assessment of Trustees for a National Charity (SCOPE)
• Advisory visit and report to the Falkland Islands Government to develop disability services
• Co-ordinator of Environmental Control Services for North London
• Project officer for a Department of Health funded project examining models of health and community services
• Participation, on behalf of COT, in a Department of Social Security working party on Incapacity Benefit
• Completion of a short report on brain injury services for the NHS Executive
• Professional supervision to occupational therapists in a regional brain injury unit and in a community team.

She founded and was twice elected chair of the National Association of Neurological and Neuro-rehabilitation Occupational Therapists (NANOT, a specialist section of the College of Occupational Therapists) which networks throughout Britain. She initiated NANOT clinical fora for therapists working with brain injured and stroke clients. She has been a member of working parties for the MS Society, the Parkinson's Disease Society and the Royal College of Physicians National Audit on Stroke. She has been a member of the Stroke Association Research Committee. She has on many occasions represented the College of Occupational Therapists and been an elected national member of its Council. She was on the convening committee for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress 1994. She is Chair of the OTs in Independent Practice national committee.

Harrison Associates has over 60 experienced OT associates providing litigation reports, initial needs assessments, case management, vocational rehabilitation, training and consultancy. Jan Harrison has an active caseload. She has undertaken courses in relation to her work as an Expert Witness, and is a member of several Expert Witness organisations, including the Academy of Experts. She has appeared in court on many occasions as an expert witness. She is a Director of the Case Management Society of the UK.

Niccola is a state registered occupational therapist who has extensive experience in vocational and occupational rehabilitation, in both Australia and the United Kingdom.

After graduating in 1996 Niccola initially worked in paediatric and community rehabilitation settings in rural Australia, providing outreach services for clients with a range of injury and illness including orthopaedic, psychiatric, neurological, congenital and multiple disability. Being the sole occupational therapist in a remote area Niccola also commenced private work, undertaking home assessments, equipment prescription and functional rehabilitation programmes following medical or orthopaedic injuries. During this period Niccola was active in promoting the practice of occupational therapy and was responsible for the development of a new government-funded community occupational therapy position for the region.

After 2½ years experience in paediatrics and the community, Niccola commenced work in the area of vocational and occupational rehabilitation. This included formal training and experience in conducting functional capacity evaluations, work site assessments, return to work programmes, ergonomic assessments, prescription of equipment, job analysis and vocational case management, to enable a safe and early return to the workplace. Niccola developed a high level of skill negotiating with employers, solicitors, insurance companies, medical practitioners and allied health professionals.

Niccola also has experience in the provision of injury prevention programmes to large employers. These services include assessing risk in the workplace and facilitating change using group education sessions, such as office safety, back care and manual handling.

In the UK Niccola has worked within a large insurance company and for a private rehabilitation supplier, to provide initial needs assessments and vocational rehabilitation programmes in line with ‘The Rehabilitation Code’ guidelines. These programmes have been provided for employers, claimant’s and defendant’s solicitors, and insurance companies covering employer’s liability, personal accident, motor, creditor, and income protection policies.

Recently Niccola has been involved in supervision and training of vocational case management staff both in the UK and South Africa, as well as promoting customer relationships and company business development. She has developed a particular interest in collating outcomes of vocational rehabilitation programmes provided for the insurance sector in the UK.

In 2004 Niccola joined Harrison Associates as Vocational Rehabilitation Manager. In this role she is responsible for the management and development of the vocational rehabilitation section, as well as maintaining an active caseload.

Niccola holds current professional membership with the Case Management Society of the UK and the National Vocational Rehabilitation Association of the UK.

John is an occupational therapist with 14 years experience across a variety of clinical settings in the NHS, Local Authorities, and as an independent case manager. In addition to his clinical practice he has held several management positions.

John’s work has mainly been with adults with complex and multiple physical disabilities.  He has worked with adults in the NHS within in the following settings: elderly mental and physical in-patient and community rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, and acquired brain injury rehabilitation. This variety of work has given John the experience of setting client-goals, and developing and monitoring rehabilitation treatment programmes.

Working for Local Authorities, John has considerable experience in assessing and working with people in their own homes, working closely with multi-disciplinary teams, developing care plans, and co-ordinating complex packages of care, including liaison with and referral to other statutory services across health and social services. He has experience in the design and implementation of major structural adaptation work including design and advice on new build properties, as well as the provision of specialist equipment.

In addition, John has worked with children both within the NHS and Local Authority settings.  In the NHS and as an independent case manager he has worked with children with a variety of complex disabilities, including acquired brain injury, spinal injury, and ventilator dependent children.  In mainstream schools John has worked with children with Developmental Co-ordination disorder, and as part of an assessment clinic for pre-school children.  In a Local Authority setting John has worked with children and their families in providing specialist equipment for seating and postural management, and also the assessment and provision of a wide range of major adaptations.

Whilst working for Havering Social Services John carried out the Best Value review for the occupational therapy service, which resulted in comprehensive recommendations for service improvement and development.  In other positions John has been consulted on the development of manual handling policies and procedures, access to service criteria, fieldwork education programmes and placements, and service restructuring and development.  As a case manager John has experience of arranging packages of care for complex cases.

For Harrison Associates, John undertakes initial needs and housing assessments and acts as a Case Manager.  He regularly attends Harrison Associates training days and is committed to maintaining his professional development.  John is state registered and a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists, including the special interest group for Occupational Therapists in private practice.  John is also an associate member of the Case Management Society of the UK and a professional member of the British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers.

Jenny Atkinson qualified as a state registered occupational therapist in 1987. She has worked in the National Health Service in the areas of General Medicine and Surgery, Mental Health, Pain Management, Oncology, Paediatrics and more specifically Rehabilitation in the inpatient and community setting.

Jenny has specialised in community neurological rehabilitation but has also worked with patients in persistent vegetative state using the SMART assessment. Her experience also extends to stroke rehabilitation for the elderly.

In 1993, Jenny joined the Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Outreach Team, London, as a Senior Occupational Therapist, during the Department of Health five year Brain Injury research project, and continued until 2002. While working for the team, she was responsible for managing clients with acquired brain injury, often with complex needs. Her work involved carrying out interdisciplinary and uni-disciplinary assessments with clients as well as implementing tailor-made treatment programmes. The Team used the Contractually Organised Goal Setting System (COGS) which, following discussion with the both client and the carers, entails the drawing up of rehabilitation goals into a contract of a time limited period. She has had experience of work rehabilitation in the field of voluntary and paid employment, comprising liaison with employers, on-site assessments and setting up work trial contracts.

Jenny is a member of the National Association of Neurological Occupational Therapists (NANOT) and has played an active role on the committee in the past as well as presenting a paper ‘Community Working with Clients with Acquired Brain Injury’. She has presented a paper at the College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference on the use of memory strategies and more recently presented a paper on the treatment of clients with complex needs in brain injury at the Clinical Practitioners Day at Homerton Hospital.

For Harrison Associates, Jenny prepares medical legal reports, undertakes private therapy, conducts immediate needs assessments and acts as a case manager. She attends the regular Harrison Associates Training Days and her commitment to continuing professional development also includes regular attendance at national conferences and at NANOT specialist courses. She is an associate member of BABICM and a member of the Case Management Society of the UK. Jenny has completed the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) 5 day course and has regularly undertaken supervision of occupational therapy students.

Clare qualified as an occupational therapist in 2000 and has worked with children of all ages, in a range of community settings.

Her first qualified post was as a junior therapist in the NHS working with adults in physical and mental health settings within Watford and surrounding areas. In 2002 Clare joined the Children's occupational therapy service as part of Wycombe PCT. During this time she was involved in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of children of all ages with both mild and complex disabilities; working with a range of conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Development Co-ordination Disorder and Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Clare worked within the Child Development Unit, in both mainstream and special schools, nurseries, the children's homes and respite care places

Clare was responsible for setting up and coordinating the Rainbow Road School occupational therapy programme in over 15 schools within the area; providing training and consultation to school staff, screening and assessment of children within school and the set up of groups, lunchtime and after school clubs.

Clare then moved to the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust where she held the lead occupational therapy post for under fives. During this time she was involved in the evaluation and re-development of the service in addition to carrying the under fives caseload assessing and treating children with a wide range of disabilities. She worked as part of multi-disciplinary team within the Child Development Centre as well as working within the community, in the children's homes, the under fives centres and nurseries.

In addition to undertaking private occupational therapy work, Clare currently works part time for the Oxfordshire Community Children's occupational therapy service as the lead for the Early Years team and within the multi-disciplinary community team. She provides parent and child groups as well as a specialist nursery and outreach support, as well as assessment, intervention, consultation to schools and advice for parents, carers and teachers. In addition to her clinical caseload, Clare is responsible for developing the pathways and service provided to children under five and those with developmental co-ordination disorder, supervising basic grades, assistants and students, training teaching assistants, teachers and SENCOs, managing the waiting list and developing the service provided by occupational therapy in her locality area.

Clare has undertaken further training in treatment approaches including the Foundation Course in Sensory Integration, the Introductory Bobath course, Handwriting without Tears, Clinical Reasoning and the Bayley Scales of Development courses. In 2005 she successfully completed a postgraduate diploma in Management of Childhood Disability.

Clare is a professional member of the Collection of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section for Children, Young People and Families. For Harrison Associates she undertakes private assessments and therapy programmes for children, both in the home and school environment.

Michelle Germiquet is an occupational therapist, registered with the Health Professions Council, who qualified in South Africa in 1995.  She has extensive paediatric experience in assessing, treating and case managing children with varying degrees of disabilities within community settings.  Her experience extends to South Africa, New Zealand and the UK.

After graduating, Michelle worked as a community therapist and managed her own private practice specialising in neuro-development treatment and sensory integration with children with neurological and developmental disabilities.

Michelle has a particular interest in children with cerebral palsy, developmental delays  and children with general co-ordination difficulties.  She has been involved with setting up programmes and training carers and teachers as well as restructuring environments within which these children function. Michelle has worked with children in special needs schools as well as in mainstream settings providing advice and recommendations, adaptations and assessment for specialist equipment. Michelle also worked as a consultant occupational therapist for insurance and large private companies in assessing clients for workers’ compensation claims.

In December 2002 Michelle was appointed Head of Department for a community paediatric occupational therapy team in an inner London borough.  She has been involved with multi-disciplinary service development looking at managing waiting lists, setting up of various specialist clinics while maintaining client centred care.  She manages a complex paediatric caseload and is also involved in the training of medical doctors and paediatricians in the management of children with disabilities.

Michelle is a member of the National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists (NAPOT) a specialist section of the College of Occupational Therapists. Michelle has attended numerous courses covering clinical and managerial skills and is committed to ongoing professional development.  She has recently completed a Bobath Centre Postgraduate Course on the Bobath approach to the assessment and treatment of children with cerebral palsy.

Michelle has experience of medical-legal assessments in South Africa and joined Harrison Associates to continue this work in the UK. She also acts as a case manager. She has had training in the revised Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates Training and Development days on aspects of the litigation process and responsibilities in case management.

Siân is a state registered occupational therapist with a range of experience in the health, social care and private sectors. She has considerable experience working for both acute hospital and community NHS trusts. Her main clinical specialisation is neurology, but she also has experience in orthopaedic, medical and elderly care. Intervention with clients has included maximising personal and domestic independence skills, wheelchair and equipment prescription, and home visits. Working for Wandsworth Intermediate Care Team, Siân had the additional responsibility of assessment for care packages and coordination of rehabilitation assistants to respond rapidly to need. Siân also played a lead role in facilitating the merge of a physiotherapy and occupational team within the primary care sector.

Her experience in Merton Social Services included assessment for the provision of equipment and adaptations and close liaison with social workers in the setting up of complex care packages. This position provided Siân with the opportunity to develop skills in assessing needs for children with disabilities.

She has worked as lead occupational therapist for a team working with adults with learning disabilities. This position involved assessment and treatment of adults with complex needs. Many of these clients had severe physical disabilities and/or behavioural problems. Siân was responsible for training and advising care and rehabilitation staff on intervention with the clients. She was also involved with identifying needs for appropriate placement and work potential.

Siân has a particular interest in working with individuals who have acquired brain injury and spent six months in the USA working with people with acquired and congenital brain injury. She has additional experience of working with adults with brain injury in the community and more recently in a private rehabilitation facility.

Siân was recently appointed to a contract post as a senior occupational therapist within a charitable organisation. Her work involved enabling individuals with acquired brain injury to maximise their independence and to acquire the skills for community living. She was responsible for the service including assessment and provision of equipment for clients and for the assessment of specialist housing needs.

Throughout her career Siân has taken an active role in service development and training. She has supervised other occupational therapists and rehabilitation assistants. She is committed to professional development and regularly attends development courses. Siân has completed the taught component of an MSc. in Neurorehabilitation with an ‘A’ grade average and is currently working on the research component of the degree.

As part of the team of Harrison Associates, Siân undertakes individual assessments and prepares Expert Witness reports for the Court covering occupational therapy, aids and equipment and/or care requirements, as necessary. She also acts as a case manager. She regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days.

Jo qualified in 1986 and worked first in the NHS, specialising in the rehabilitation of older people, rheumatology and neurology. On moving to Social Services, she conducted assessments of children and adults with multiple disabilities and participated in the planning and implementation of many major adaptation schemes and specialist equipment plans. Since 1993, Jo has worked as a consultant OT. With care management teams she has devised and commissioned care packages. Since 1994 she has worked as an expert witness, preparing detailed, costed reports for court, covering equipment and care for both claimants and defendants and now specialises in the assessment of children and young adults with complex needs. Jo acted as consultant to Threshold Architects in the preparation of an authoritative design guide for wheelchair accessible homes. The guide, commissioned by the National Wheelchair Housing Group, was published in 1997. Jo is a calibrated AMPS assessor. Since May 2000 she has acted as trainer and supervisor for all Harrison Associates new expert witness recruits.

Sue is a HPC registered occupational therapist with 25 years' experience. She has a post graduate diploma in vocational rehabilitation (University of Pretoria, South Africa) and has recently obtained her MSc in occupational therapy (Coventry University). Her thesis was a comparative quantitative study of pressure care cushions. Sue was a self employed occupational therapist in South Africa (rehabilitation, medico-legal work and trustee on settled cases). She has worked as a therapist in the acute NHS trust, in a wheelchair service, in social services and in a primary care trust.

Sue combines her rich experiences, networking and negotiation skills with her practical abilities to facilitate change in individuals, teams and parts of organisations. Sue's work in South Africa covered a wide range of multiple disabilities in a diverse population. Sue worked with adults and children with spinal cord injuries and limb amputations and with adults following head injuries and neurological conditions. Sue has prepared reports for legal purposes since 1988. She has given evidence in several of the Supreme Courts in South Africa. Sue worked with disabled people following interim settlement or full settlement of cases to select, purchase and use equipment, supervise the design and building (or modifying) of homes, arranging and training carers and facilitating return to work. She was a trustee on several cases and a curator on one case. These were children with multiple amputations, and adults and children with combined spinal cord and head injuries.

Sue worked as a therapist in the Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust in elderly rehabilitation, including recommendations for care or care home placement. Sue worked as a senior therapist during 2002 and 2003 at The Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust in surgery and orthopaedics (including amputations) and palliative care. She worked for 2 years as the clinical manager for Dudley Wheelchair Service. This client group was children from 2 years old to older adults. The clinical work involved prescription of wheelchairs (manual and powered), postural support and pressure care as well as staff and financial management.

Since 2006, Sue's role is in joint funded project work for social services and the primary care trust in Telford as well as independent consultant work. Sue has written and implemented the falls strategy and integration of falls prevention work across all partners in Telford (Acute Trust, Primary Care Trust, Social Services and the voluntary and private sector). She is working with commissioners on development the stroke strategy and pathways required in the area. Sue remains committed to professional development and to client centred practice. She works for Harrison Associates as a case manager and expert witness, and participates in their regular training days.

Margaret Hynd qualified as a state registered Occupational Therapist in 1977.

After working within the NHS, Margaret has had particular experience in the Social Services setting, undertaking needs led assessments of people of all ages with physical, sensory and learning difficulties. During this time she has gained extensive experience in assessment of client's needs, implementing the provision of major adaptations and providing both standard and specialised equipment. In her role as a Care Manager within Hertfordshire County Council she has gained experience in the assessing and arranging of home care packages, day care and respite care for all ages.

Margaret has experience of working as part of a Children, Schools and Families team where she assessed the needs of children with disabilities and those of the family, supplying essential equipment and implementing major adaptation work to property. She worked closely with local specialist schools and with the Social Workers she was based with, seeking to improve the quality of life for those families she came into contact with.

During her career Margaret has taken on a number of supervisory responsibilities and has spent the last three years as an Assistant Team Manager within a large team of Occupational Therapists in a London Borough. During this time she has helped in the development of service provision by managing a team of Occupational Therapists and Assistants, contributing towards their professional development through regular supervision and appraisal, allocating and monitoring workloads. She was instrumental in designing standards for specifying a wide range of adaptation work and these are still being used to date.

Margaret has taken part in a number of working parties, contributing towards the development of the service including the formation of the joint Health and Social Services Community Equipment store, within Hertfordshire. At that time she also worked closely with Housing Associations to improve service provision to all clients.

Margaret continues to attend regular training sessions as part of her commitment to develop professionally. She is working as a case manager for Harrison Associates and regularly attends their training workshops.

Kay McArthur is a state registered Occupational Therapist with experience in both clinical and vocational rehabilitation and case management.

After graduating in 1997 from the University of Exeter, Kay completed a rotational post covering a number of clinical specialities including hand therapy, community mental health, neurological rehabilitation and acute general medical. In 1999, Kay worked as a senior therapist in orthopaedics, providing a 'hospital from home' service facilitating quick and effective discharge from hospital following elective surgery. Assessments, treatment and equipment provision were completed in the patient's home as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

In 2001, Kay commenced work in Australia where she was involved in setting up an occupational therapy service to a hospital. This involved close liaison with other service managers and providers as well as ongoing education for both staff and clients, regarding the role of the occupational therapist. Kay provided a service for patients with orthopaedic, neurological and general medical conditions, completing assessment, treatment, home visits, discharge planning and referral to other services. Kay was also required to provide clinical cover for acute areas including respiratory, emergency, neurology, aged care and orthopaedics, burns & plastics and cardiology.

In 2002, Kay worked as a Head Occupational Therapist in the acute care setting and was responsible for managing a team of six therapists and assistants. Here Kay was involved in the review of policies and procedures with the aim of improving response time to referrals, quality of service and effective intervention outcomes. It also included the induction and supervision of staff at all levels and the development of an induction programme to facilitate smooth integration for new staff members.

Kay commenced work as a rehabilitation consultant in 2003 specialising in case management of clients with work related injuries. Here her role as consultant/case manager required close and effective communication with all involved including treating parties, employers and specialist's consultants. Worksite, ergonomic and functional assessments, prescription of equipment, job analysis and the development of graded return to work plans were important to facilitate a safe and effective return to work. In addition to the role of case manager Kay provided training for high profile customers, included ergonomics, manual handling, and stress management.

Since returning to the UK Kay has worked in the field of respiratory care and has developed and implemented a new service as part of a trust wide strategy to develop services provided for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Kay has provided training and workshops to key members of the multidisciplinary team and as the OT lead for pulmonary rehabilitation, provided input into the local steering groups as well as presenting at local and national conferences relating to pulmonary rehabilitation.

For Harrison Associates, Kay undertakes vocational assessments, prepares rehabilitation and return-to-work programmes, and acts as a case manager. She regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days.

Kay is currently a member of the British Association for Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapists in Work Practice and Productivity group and the Case Management Society UK.

Steve McWilliams is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council with 22 years’ experience of assisting disabled people to manage their disability and lead as independent a life as possible.  He has spent some eight years working with adults with acquired brain injury in the acute, post-acute and rehabilitation settings, predominantly in the NHS and also in the charitable and private sectors.  He has published a paper on adult brain injury in a peer-reviewed journal and two chapters in a primary occupational therapy text.

He has also worked with children over the past eleven years in the acute and community settings and has maintained a clinical role whilst also being an independent practitioner.  He retains a position with Stockport Primary Care Trust as a senior paediatric occupational therapist and works with a variety of children with a range of developmental and acquired disabilities.  He is a member of the National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists and has recently stood down from being secretary of its North-West regional group.

He has prepared hundreds of medico-legal reports over the past fifteen years and is trained in report writing and courtroom skills, and has experience of giving evidence in Court. He has also acted as Case Manager in several complex cases.

He completed a BA (Hons) in Social Dimensions of Health in 1989 at the Sheffield City Polytechnic and his research dissertation examined affective changes in adults following acquired brain injury as perceived by patients and relatives. This led to a publication in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy.

He completed a further Master of Research degree at the University of Manchester in 2004.  His dissertation looked at the impact on self-esteem of group therapy for children with developmental co-ordination disorder.  This led to a further publication and he presented this at The National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists annual conference in 2005.

He has been involved in fieldwork education and is trained as a fieldwork educator.  He has undertaken more formal teaching sessions in local schools to teachers, parents and support staff, regarding various aspects of occupational therapy.  He has presented a paper at a regional conference, run a workshop at a national conference for occupational therapists in independent practice, and presented at local and regional meetings and study days.  He attends Harrison Associates Training Days and is committed to maintaining his own continuing professional development.

Janet is a state registered occupational therapist with 13 years experience of assisting individuals to manage their disability and to overcome the handicap resulting from injury and illness. She has had experience of working in an acute psychiatric field, stroke rehabilitation and rehabilitation of the elderly. She has also work more recently with adults in the Social Services setting and is skilled at carrying out assessments of housing need and advising on adaptations.

Since 1995 she has also worked as a community paediatric occupational therapist for Social Services, in what was a newly created post to provide a service for children with disabilities. The work includes carrying out assessments of need for children cared for within the family. Such work often involves making recommendations for specialist paediatric equipment, handling and risk assessments and major home adaptations to meet long term needs.

Since 1995 Janet has also worked as a freelance occupational therapist with adults and children. Over the last few years she has developed her skills in paediatrics, attending several courses (including those on posture and seating) and undertaking clinical attachments to specialist paediatric institutes and centres.

Between January 1999 and September 2000, she carried out research to quantify the value of occupational therapy in Social Services for children with disabilities. This research was carried out in co-operation with East Anglia University School of Occupational Therapy.

Janet has recently completed a Masters degree course in Paediatric Occupational Therapy at East London University. She has had research articles published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy and in Therapy and Rehabilitation.

Janet is a member of several special interest groups involved in developing occupational therapy practice, including:
• The College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section in Housing (COTSSIH)
• The National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists (NAPOT)
• The North East Thames Regional Health Authority (OT group)
• The Special Interest Group for Paediatric Occupational Therapists in Social Services

Janet also has a special interest in visual impairment. She helped to set up Sight Action, an organisation providing advice on visual impairment issues, and subsequently sat as professional advisor on its committee.

For Harrison Associates Janet prepares Expert Witness Reports for the Court, and undertakes Immediate Needs Assessments. Janet has provided evidence in court and has had training in the revised Civil Procedure Rules, Report Writing and Courtroom Skills.

Julie is an occupational therapist (OT) with a Post Graduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with the Health Professions Council and has worked for many years in health, social care, voluntary and independent sectors. She now runs her own successful independent practice. She has specialised in working with individuals with physical and/or sensory impairments.

She was team leader with the London Borough of Brent during the implementation of Community Care legislation and continues to regularly work with numerous Social Service Departments and housing associations. Her primary role comprises providing comprehensive assessments and planning intervention for clients with complex needs. Her work involves enabling individuals to maximise their independence and quality of life whilst remaining living in their own homes. This intervention may include prescription of equipment, home adaptations, organising packages of care, advice to carers and liason with other agencies.

Her NHS experience includes previously working as senior therapist in the regional oncology and palliative care unit at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London and at the Stanmore Spinal Injuries Unit, part of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust. She was responsible for the assessment, treatment, evaluation and re-settlement of individuals after discharge. Regular intervention included maximising personal and domestic independence skills, wheelchair prescription, promoting correct seating, home and work visits.

Julie is a member of the Spinal Injuries Association and MASCIP, a multi-disciplinary special interest group for those working with people with spinal cord injuries. She has also worked as head occupational therapist within the West Hertfordshire Trust which is a large, acute hospital serving a multi-cultural population. Her main clinical area was medical/neurology but she was also involved in managing the orthopaedic, elderly and intermediate care teams. She continues to regularly provide senior and head OT cover at various NHS and private hospitals including the Mount Vernon Regional Cancer Centre, King Edward VII Hospital and St John and St Elizabeth's Hospital, both in central London. She is a member of NANOT - a special interest group for OT's working within the neurology speciality. She has recently resigned from the Hertfordshire committee after three years as their treasurer.

She has also spent 4 years at the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), a well known national charity providing advice, information and training to disabled people and others connected with and interested in disability. Whilst at the DLF she managed a multi-disciplinary team and had editorial responsibility for DLF Data Off-line and the Hamilton Index - the UK's most comprehensive database of disability products and services.

She has taken part in numerous live and recorded radio and television projects and has published articles in the disability press. She has also contributed to a Royal College of Nursing reference book aimed at informing health and social care providers about manual handling legislation and the subsequent impact on delivering care. She has worked in partnership with several high profile organisations including the Department of Health, the Metropolitan Police Child Protection Team, Transport for London and the College of Occupational Therapists. She lectures widely to a range of professions including G.Ps, social care staff and undergraduate BSC (Hons) students.

For Harrison Associates she regularly acts as an expert witness in claims for compensation as a result of medical negligence or personal injury. She has provided reports on behalf of claimant and defendants and has worked as a single joint expert. She is fully trained in the Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates training days.

Janice qualified as an occupational therapist in 1993. She commenced working for Hertfordshire County Council, St Albans Social Services as a care manager with the elderly and with clients with physical disability. She gained extensive experience assessing clients and arranging the provision of major adaptations, equipment, home-care, day-care and residential care packages.

Janice progressed to a senior practitioner post, which involved managing the most difficult cases and included complex moving and handling issues. During this time she undertook an active management role, which included liaising with outside organizations, service planning and monitoring the equipment budgets.

Janice assumed the responsibility for the mentoring and supervision of occupational therapists and support staff. She also actively participated in research and completed an MSc in occupational therapy in 2001 with a thesis on evaluating a community based equipment service. To gain experience in the health sector Janice took up a post as a head occupational therapist, specialising in surgery and orthopaedics, at Hemel Hempstead and St Albans General Hospitals. The role included both a management component and handling a client caseload. She took the lead in developing occupational therapy in the accident and emergency unit and the hospital at home service. The latter involved facilitating early discharge, advising on therapeutic input, liaising on care packages and training support workers.

Janice left the health service in 2002 to form her own company. She presently acts as a fieldwork care counsellor for an insurance company, assessing and providing advice and support to clients who have purchased long-term care policies. Janice continues to develop her knowledge base through working in a management capacity and as an occupational therapist within the community, on a part time basis and by participating in regular training sessions.

For Harrison Associates, Janice undertakes individual assessments and prepares Expert Witness reports for the Court covering occupational therapy, aids and equipment and/or care requirements, as necessary. She also acts as a case manager. She has had training in the revised Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days.