About John Davidson
- Address:
PACT Ltd
65 Duthie Terrace
Aberdeen
AB10 7PS - Telephone:
01224 326707 - Mobile:
07900925820 - Email:
John Davidson
Profile:
John is a management professional, with formal qualifications and extensive experience of Social Work in both local authority and voluntary sectors. He has current experience as a Social Work Practice Teacher and Lecturer at The Robert Gordon University Aberdeen. John is also an associate/consultant with the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care. He has experience of developing and improving services to meet current and future need within the context of "best practice and value". John is a partner in Positive Approaches, Consultancy and Training Ltd and is currently undertaking consultancy work in the Borders and Central belt of Scotland.
Major Achievements Include;
(A) Mental Health
- Managed and developed a major project in Aberdeen providing a wide range of supported accommodation, outreach and day services to people with severe and enduring mental illness.
- Supported various small mental health support groups to become established in the Aberdeen and surrounding area.
- Successfully supported the development of the service user movement.
(B) Children's Services
- Managed various children's homes and developed children's services in St Helens Merseyside
- Managed a major residential school for children with special needs
- Supported the development of innovative support and training for staff working in the field of Autism
- Acted as Child Protection Officer during time as Principal at Linn Moor School
(C) Learning Disability
- Team Manager for Learning Disability Services in St Helens Merseyside.
- Developed Linn Moor School from a "failing school" to an internationally recognised centre of excellence in the field of special needs and autism.
Experience;
January 2006 - Present
Partner in Positive Approaches, Consultancy and Training Ltd
John has undertaken consultancy for East Lothian, Midlothian and Scottish Borders Councils related to reviewing Workforce Development strategies and providing reports recommending pro-active, best value solution in relation to meeting the current and future challenges faced by the Councils.
John is currently acting as a consultant to a local charity reviewing current practice, service delivery, staff development and training, staff retention and career progression.
Additional experience since January 2006 includes:
- Currently a Social Work Practice Teacher.
- Currently an "ad hoc" lecturer at the Robert Gordon University Aberdeen.
- Written a variety of training courses within the field of Autism and Challenging Behaviour.
- Delivered training to statutory and voluntary sector organisation in Management of Challenging Behaviour, Autism, Person Centred Planning and Pro-active Practice.
January 1989 - December 1998
Project/Development Manager, St Aubins Project, Voluntary Service Aberdeen (VSA)
- Developed a major project providing supported accommodation, outreach and day care for over sixty people with severe and enduring mental illness.
- Contributed to local and national developments of improved services for people with mental illness.
- Supported the development of the "user movement" in Aberdeen
January 1999 - December 2005
Principal, Linn Moor Residential School, Peterculter, Aberdeen
- Asked to take over as Principal at Linn Moor Residential School following an inspection from HMI Schools. Turned the school around from "failing status" to internationally recognised centre of excellence.
- Managed 210 staff and an annual budget of £3 million.
- Took a lead role in developing and implementing the Linn Moor School workforce development strategy.
- Has undertaken delivery of training on a variety of issues related to Social Work and Social Care including specialist training in Autism and the Management of Challenging Behaviour.
Throughout his time in management John has worked as a "hands on" Social Worker as a volunteer with Voluntary Service Aberdeen Social Work Reception Team. He is currently undertaking some "relief" duties within Aberdeen City Criminal Justice Team.
John Feels it is important as a trainer and manager to be able to evidence his own competence in practice.
September 1970 - December 1985
John has worked in a variety of settings in England and Scotland in both the voluntary and statutory sectors. John has managed children's homes and has also managed a range of residential and fieldwork services for Learning Disabilities before moving to Voluntary Service Aberdeen in 1989.
Qualifications;
2001 The Institute of Applied Behavioural Analysis Los Angeles USA
Certificate in Applied Behavioural Analysis
1996 to 1999 The Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
Post Graduate Diploma in Community Care
1991 to 1994 Northern College Aberdeen
- Diploma in Social Work
- Diploma in Higher Education
1974 to 1975 The Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
Certificate in the Residential Care of Children and Young People