Fellow: Dr. Marie Dunnion; Partner: NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire; School: School of Psychology.
The Cerebra Network works on research about children with complex brain conditions. This includes mental health, sleep problems, autism, and behaviours that challenge (BtC). My project aims to help family carers and professionals, like doctors and teachers, understand this research by focusing on the following objectives:
- A new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) BtC training module for education practitioners via the Teacher Training Resource (TTR)
In 2023, the Cerebra Network launched the TTR to help teachers understand children with these conditions. So far, more than 440 people from 10 countries have signed up to use it, including 157 teachers, 74 family carers, and 50 academics.
- A new CPD training route via the Further Inform Neurogenetic Disorders (FIND) Website
FIND is a website created by the Cerebra Network. It helps family carers and healthcare workers around the world. More than 1,300 professionals from 144 NHS Trusts use FIND to get special tools and information about brain conditions.
- A Novel Podcast: ‘Research to Reality in Rare Syndromes’
Whilst the Network have worked with the charity, Cerebra, to write Cerebra Parent Carer Guides to give advice on things like anxiety and sleep, there is now a need to create more accessible resources to further extend reach to families of children with brain conditions.
Many family carers are very busy, so I have been designing a podcast to help them easily access the research and improve their children’s health and wellbeing. I have consulted with the Cerebra Network’s Public Advisory Group to ensure that the podcast addresses topics that really matter to family carers. This podcast series will launch in summer 2025!