Spotlight on ...
This issue our staff spotlight falls on Morven McLelland ... 
Name: Morven McLelland
Job Title: Senior Practioner Occupational Therapist
Background: I went to North Berwick High School and left in 1989 when I moved to London to train to become an Occupational Therapist. I qualified in 1992 and worked within the NHS for 17 years before moving ‘home’ to East Lothian.
My training involved 3 years of a mix of science, humanities and my clinical placements were all based in Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital Trust where I worked in Paediatrics, Womens’ Mental Health, Older People and Rehabilitation, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Stroke Rehabilitation and Community Older Peoples Mental Health. This was an amazing start to my career as an Occupational Therapist and I believe gave me good grounding for my future career.
After my first paid job I took a break and travelled around Africa. A once in a lifetime opportunity which allowed me to grow in confidence as an individual but also as an Occupational Therapist as many of my skills were put to use during my travels.
I returned to London and continued to work full time until I had my children and then when I secured the job in East Lothian I requested to work part time to help the work / life balance.
How long have you been with the council? Eleven years and 3 months.
Who do you work with? Our team is based in Randall House in Macmerry. The office is open plan and would guess there are approximately 170 members of staff here which challenges your memory each day trying to remember names.
As an Occupational Therapist we work extremely closely with Social Workers, Community Care workers, Managers and home care staff. We also share the office and work with all these staff and others including strategy, business support, Telecare and Mental Health Officers.
What does your job involve? The Occupational Therapy team uses assessment and therapeutic interventions to develop and enable recovery or to maintain the daily living skills of people with physical, mental or cognitive disorders. The Occupational Therapy team focuses much of their work on identifying and eliminating environmental barriers to independence and participation in daily activities. The team uses a client centred approach that places emphasis on progress towards the client’s goals and engenders independence. The Occupational Therapy team’s interventions encompass modification of the task, teaching the skill and educating the client/family/carers as well as adapting the environment in order to increase participation in their performance of daily activities, particularly those that are meaningful to the client. The Occupational Therapy team work closely with professionals in physiotherapy, speech language therapy, nursing, social work and other agencies as well as stakeholders in the community.
What do you like most about your job? I love my job. Perhaps sounds corny but I’ve worked as an Occupational Therapist for 26 years and not once have considered a career move. Perhaps Im lucky that I found a job that I’d love forever.
The team I currently work with are ‘the best’ team ever, they are kind, caring, intelligent, supportive and extremely funny. I feel extremely privileged to work with them all.
Plans for the future? I really enjoy my current job as an Occupational therapist and feel the role continually develops and ‘develops me’. I think my future plans are really to stay happy and healthy and enjoy life as much as possible.
What do you enjoy out of the office? I have a number of activities I enjoy outside of work. I am a volunteer for Muirfield Riding Therapy and use Occupational Therapy to help develop fine and gross motor skills and function in children who attend these sessions. I also have a share in a horse who I ride a number of times each week to keep me fit and helps me relax (unless he’s being silly!). I go to the gym once a week and have started riding Fatbikes. I also have 2 teenage boys and a dog – lots of things to do which is why I working part time is perfect for me! Having less money is ‘ not so good’ but you’ve got to get the balance right.
New course available for all staff
Using Coaching Everyday – for managers
Who is this for: anyone who is a manager or team leader and who wants to develop their coaching skills. Coaching helps us to work more effectively with our team. As managers we can struggle to find the time to coach. However, coaching questions can be used within any conversation we are having with our team members. This workshop will give you the chance to practice quick, in the moment coaching to help you to save you time and solve problems more effectively.
Benefits for you:
- Helps you and your team get “unstuck” with problems
- It can be a time saver – and you develop your team at the same time
- Solutions to problems are found more quickly, rather than you repeatedly being asked for the answer
- Add to your toolbox of management skills
- Help your team take more ownership and build their confidence
When:
Thursday 31st May, 9.30-12.00 – The Garleton Room, Penston House.
Using Coaching Everyday – non-managers
Who is this for: anyone who is not a manager or team leader and who wants to develop coaching skills. Coaching helps us to work more effectively with colleagues, clients and customers. You’ll also find this approach useful outside of work with family and friends. We have a separate course for managers so if you have people responsibilities please select the appropriate course.
Benefits for you:
- Helps you get “unstuck” with problems
- It can be a time saver
- Solutions to problems are found more quickly
- It’s an investment in your communication skills
- Better job satisfaction
When:
Wednesday 6th June, 9.30-12.00 – The Garleton Room, Penston House.
Remember to ask your line manager if you can attend.
To book on either of these dates: book on learnpro: http://council.learnprouk.com
http://intranet.eastlothian.gov.uk/downloads/file/1831/course_booking_system_instructions
Two new e-learning modules
Do you want to know how to save energy at home and at work? A new learnPro e-learning module from Home Energy Scotland has been added to the Personal Development category. 
This provides you with a range of energy-saving tips and shows you how to access Scottish Government-funded grants and loans to save money, keep your home warm and protect the environment.
Many of the energy-saving tips you will learn by completing this course are also transferable to the workplace.
Managing People Problems. This introductory new module is aimed at new managers or team leaders (new to the role or the Council). It provides you with an overview of when to use the informal, disciplinary or performance and support routes to effectively resolve employee issues. A separate module for teachers (which is different to the rest of the Council) is coming soon.
Register or log on here