Trust clinical psychologist wins national award

19 Jul 22

A clinical psychologist working for the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) has won a category in the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards.

Dr Sarah Hawkins took the individual accolade in the Positive Behaviour Support Award.

In announcing Dr Hawkins as the winner, the judges said: “Sarah showed passion, knowledge and a real desire to work jointly with peers and across many organisations.

“This includes formal and informal networks to achieve the best possible outcomes for the individuals and staff within her organisation, through the use of positive behaviour support tools and a holistic personal centred approach.”

Dr Hawkins, who works as part of the Community Specialist Learning Disability Service, said: “I just wanted to say thank everyone who has supported and congratulated me. I have been completely overwhelmed by the number of messages of congratulations I have been sent.

“It was a shock and an absolute honour to win this award, but nothing that I do in my role would be possible if I didn’t work in such a fabulous team, with such a wonderful and dedicated group of people. We take a team approach to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) in our service.”

Professor Asif Zia, HPFT Executive Director of Quality and Medical Leadership, said: “This is a wonderful achievement and recognition of the work and dedication of both Sarah and the wider Trust team in supporting our service users and carers. I have worked with Sarah in clinical settings and she fully deserves this award. She is an excellent clinician who always thinks of service users first.”

Dr Hawkins is passionate about supporting people to work together to continually improve the way in which PBS is understood and implemented across the organisation and ensuring that enhancing the quality of life of individuals and carers is at the heart of the PBS approach.

She has a particular interest in promoting the involvement of people with learning disabilities in the co-production of their own PBS support and in the development of skills and resources to help practitioners to achieve this in practice.

The awards celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities and aim to pay tribute to those individuals or organisations who excel in providing quality care.

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Trust clinical psychologist wins national award