Katie Charlwood is a qualified occupational therapist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council since 2000. Since qualifying, Katie has worked in a variety of health and social care settings. During her career, she has gained extensive experience in the assessment and management of young people and adults with a variety of physical, cognitive, emotional and sensory impairments arising from a wide range of traumatic and progressive conditions. She has extensive experience of working closely with patients and their families, coordinating rehabilitation and discharges, and accessing community and social services. She has an in-depth working knowledge of the voluntary sector and other statutory funding streams and their eligibility criteria.

Katie is a moving and handling trainer and assessor. She has been involved in arranging the provision of major adaptations, specialist equipment, and assistive technology to enable people with disabilities to live at home as independently as possible. She has a great deal of experience in implementing complex packages of care and recruiting and providing support to both agency and privately employed care staff. Katie is also experienced in assessing, supporting, and training carers. Katie 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.

Katie’s previous role as a Team Manager for a Physical Disability Team in Hertfordshire, required her to lead and manage a large team of social workers and occupational therapists. She was responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of an assessment and care management service for service users with complex needs in the community. In addition, she managed the Integrated Housing Adaptations Team, working in partnership with district councils and Registered Social Landlords in the provision of major housing adaptations and Disabled Facilities Grants.

Katie commenced her practice as an expert witness in 2012 and has extensive experience of providing insightful care, equipment, rehabilitation and Loss of Service reports. She accepts instructions from Solicitors acting for both Claimants and Defendants. She has prepared reports for clients in the UK, Channel Islands and Europe. Katie has undertaken comprehensive legal training and has a solid understanding of her duties to the Court pursuant to CPR Part 35 and understands the competencies required of her. She is very experienced in presenting a clear rationale for her opinion and is robust when presenting verbal evidence in conferences and Joint Discussions. Katie also has experience of presenting evidence in Court.

Katie is a member of our Clinical Board and is involved in the training and developing of new expert witnesses with Fiona Johnson Ltd.