Independent Occupational Therapy and Consultancy Services
For individuals and corporate organisations including NHS services, Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Care Providers, Charities, Insurance, Case Management Companies and Legal services.
Latitude was founded in 2013 by the Director, Katie Charlwood, a highly qualified Occupational Therapist (OT) with many years of clinical and management experience in a variety of NHS, Social Care and private sector services. During her career, Katie has gained extensive experience in the management of adults with physical, cognitive and emotional impairments arising from a wide range of traumatic and progressive conditions. These include, cardiac disease, renal failure, oncological and hematological conditions, spinal injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries, including amputation. Her experience in acute and in–patient rehabilitation wards has developed her skills in treating people with complex neurological conditions and acquired brain injury who are in vegetative or minimally aware states.
Katie has extensive experience of case management tasks including working closely with families, coordinating rehabilitation and discharges, and accessing community and social services. Katie is trained in the prescription of specialist seating and assistive equipment for people with complex conditions. She is able to arrange the provision of major adaptations, care, equipment, and assistive technology to enable people to live at home independently. Katie is a confident communicator and an effective advocate and mediator. She has particular skills in assessing clients with communication disorders and has a working knowledge of alternative forms of communication. Katie also has extensive experience in completing carer’s assessments and providing support and training to carers. She has an in-depth knowledge of the voluntary sector and other statutory funding streams and their eligibility criteria.
Katie has a sound knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults and is a trained and experienced investigating manager. She has a wealth of experience and expertise within the field of mental capacity and has held the role of lead professional in many capacity assessments and best interest decisions.
During her career, Katie has managed OT and Social Work services, budgets and other resources, including an integrated housing adaptation service. As an Occupational Therapist, Katie is committed to excellence in her work. In her professional capacity, she has conducted exhaustive research into best care practice, designed and written detailed protocols and policies for integrated health and social care teams, and even devised new health and social care joint roles. Katie is passionate about transformation and change, which brings out the best in people and services. She has a breadth of knowledge and experience to support you and your needs.
Katie has studied at Postgraduate level and is committed to continuing her professional development. She regularly contributes to conferences and national online OT forums, sharing experiences and ideas to promote good practice. Katie is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists http://www.rcot.co.uk and the Specialist Section for Independent Practice (COTSS-IP). She has undergone training in Civil Procedure Rules. She was awarded the Cardiff University Bond Solon Civil Expert Certificate in 2017.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Occupational Therapy is a clinical profession, regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council and has codes of ethics and practice set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
Katie is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and has a current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate.
“Katie comes highly recommended! She is universally admired across health and care partners in Hertfordshire from her time as a Team Manager in the County Council’s adult social care department and, latterly, as the Lead Professional shaping and improving our integrated community teams. As Lead Professional, Katie has been instrumental in developing Hertfordshire’s integrated care vision and practice. She has conducted exhaustive research into the best care practice, designed detailed protocols and policies for integrated teams, and even devised new health and social care joint roles. To achieve this, she has worked very effectively across organisational boundaries, listening to and influencing front line staff from a range of professional backgrounds, and senior managers. There are very few people I know who have the interpersonal and communication skills to excel in such a demanding and varied role. Katie is a passionate advocate of high professional standards, and understands the importance of professional and team development. Working with workforce development colleagues, she has developed integrated team management structures and agreed team development plans for raising professional standards. I have no doubt that Katie would be a tremendous asset to any organisation”.