JOHN CHILD (JH 89-92) M E N TA L H E A LT H
From the age of 18, John began to work over several Christmas periods in Crisis at Christmas homeless shelters in London, and with this grew an interest in working in the charity or social care sector, and in pursuing a career that would allow him to have an immediate impact on improving people’s lives. After studying a degree in English Literature, John became a social worker, before moving into operational NHS management. He is currently the Service Director of Adults and Older People’s Mental Health services in Brighton & Hove, and East Sussex. Why mental health? Did you ever pursue or consider any other specialism? When I completed my social work training I knew I wanted to work with adults and not children and I was keen to work in mental health services. In part, this was because these services were linked with NHS services, and I found it fascinating working with psychiatrists, nurses and other mental health professionals. This resulted in working in an older people’s Community Mental Health Team. I became an Approved Social Worker which means I had specialist training in assessing patients under the Mental Health Act for possible admission to hospital. After a few years I moved into managing a Community Mental Health Team. I then progressed through the operational ranks to become the Service Director. I spent some time working in NHS commissioning but decided to return to operational management; because I felt you have can have a greater impact on service improvement and patient care working for an organisation that provides care rather than commissions it. I remain passionate about mental health services and providing services working
with patients at their most vulnerable. I remain convinced that providing services which are joined up - health, social care, housing, employment advice, welfare rights - is the best way to support patients with mental health difficulties and continue to strive to ensure mental health services receive parity within the overall NHS. Did you train at University, a Hospital, or both? I did a degree in English Literature at Cardiff University and then after a couple of years working in homeless hostels in the Medway Towns and Brighton I completed my Masters in Social Work at Sussex University. I completed placements in fostering teams and a ‘wet’ day centre for street drinkers. Since then I have completed my full Post Qualifying Award in Social Work and various leadership courses in the NHS. What do you consider to be your career highlights, or greatest achievements in the NHS? My favourite job in the NHS has been as the team manager of a Community Mental Health Team for Older People in Brighton. This is a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists and social care professionals. Whilst this wasn’t without stress due to volume of work, funding etc. it was a pleasure to lead and manage a dedicated, innovative and dynamic team who did a great job for patients. Before training, I worked for eighteen months in homeless hostels in the Medway Towns. This was my most informative professional experience to date, and I made lifelong friends with my colleagues. Working here took me completely out of my comfort zone having just left university,
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and I was immersed into a very different environment working alongside multiple agencies to support a memorable group of clients. What has working in the NHS taught you about life? Working in the field of mental health and social care has made me fully understand the complexity of mental health issues and how it impacts 1 in 4 of the population. It has made me appreciate how mental health issues can strike anyone regardless of background and how debilitating it can be. And most importantly how it is possible to recover and lead a full life. Working in public service has allowed me to understand the extent to which both the NHS and social care are politicised, complex and intertwined. What advice do you have for aspiring medics? Consider working in mental health and stay in the NHS! If you hadn’t become a social worker or worked in the NHS, what career might you have considered? At one time I was keen to become a farmer. I looked round agricultural colleges and still hanker a longing for this line of work. Being a chef or teacher have both crossed my mind. Any memorable Tonbridge School moments? House suppers, living out of the house above Pete Belbin’s house (semi-freedom), water fights on last night of term, drinking my brother’s home-brew amongst others – not all printable.