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Dr Zoe Bradshaw
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Head of Applied Psychology
My interest in autism and intellectual disabilities began during my undergraduate degree in Psychology. During my studies I spent time with a small class of primary aged children at a special school. There were some amazing characters there and I remember being so shocked when a boy who so funny and engaging, kicked me hard in the back when I turned away from him for a moment. It made me want to understand more about what was behind this behaviour, what the children were experiencing, what they needed and how to help.
The importance of collaborative working, valuing the expertise of parents and benefits of working within a ‘non-expert model’ was cemented during my clinical training when a supervisor introduced me to using the ‘Family Partnership Model’ (developed by Hilton Davis), and these are values I carry with me today. I was also introduced to the model of ‘Positive Behaviour Support’ at this time, and saw how it could be used in a truly collaborative way with families and carers to bring a different way of understanding and responding to the individuals they were supporting.
I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2000 and initially worked within a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team, gradually specialising in Neurodevelopmental assessment and therapeutic work. During this time I was an active member of the Nottinghamshire Autism Network and jointly developed an autism assessment clinic. My interest in systemic work also grew during this time – I completed a Foundation Course in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice and was part of the family therapy team. This enabled me to focus on multiple perspectives, creative and solution focussed working and understanding the complexities within family and larger systems.
I joined Hesley Group in 2009, initially working within children’s services, the college and transitional services. Over time, I gained leadership and management responsibilities for the Applied Psychology team within the Children’s services and then for Applied Psychology across the service. I believe that a Clinical Psychologist leading the team supports a holistic understanding of people’s needs and the systems around them, including mental health needs. It also ensures a culture of reflective and evidence-based practice, and brings a firmly ‘relational’ way of working. The way we provide Positive Behaviour Support is relational and trauma-informed
I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to train with some inspiring people, including: diagnostic assessment with autism pioneers Lorna Wing and Judith Gould; PDA specialists Ruth Fidler and Phil Christie; Wen Lawson; and Tony Atwood.
Hesley Group values continued professional development and have provided funding for me to train in Theraplay (an attachment-based intervention), to gain formal management qualifications, and to develop specialist skills in delivering sex and relationships work for people with an intellectual disability. Alongside this, I have been supported to keep up to date with current developments in Positive Behaviour Support by attending BILD, PBS-UK and Restraint Reduction Network conferences.
Reflective Practice is central to my work and to support this I have regular clinical supervision with Alick Bush, who co-authored both the NICE Guidelines on ‘Challenging Behaviour and Learning Disabilities’ and ‘Challenging Behaviour: A unified approach’. This second document had a huge impact on me back in 2007 in terms of how clearly it described the importance of ‘capable environments’, and is still relevant today in guiding how as a leader, I support Hesley Group services to be environments where people can thrive, rather than being one that inadvertently creates distress and behaviours of concern through not meeting people’s needs.
I’m still working on my goal of ‘understanding and helping’, which started back in the late 1990’s during the voluntary school placement. Whilst this goal sounds simple, there’s always something new to understand – either about individuals or systems/ organisations. And things can be hard. My drive to help remains, although over time the focus of this has moved from supporting individuals and their families directly, to working with teams in residential services and now incorporates supporting my fantastic team as well as organisational approaches to positive behaviour support and reducing restrictive practices. With lived experience of mental health issues and neurodiversity within my family, the theme of understanding and helping (as well as enjoying life and having fun) is woven through my life.
I consider myself lucky to work with the current team at Hesley Group, who are so passionate and dedicated. And of course, feel privileged that the people living with Hesley Group, and their families, continue to let me into their lives.
