Olive Nelson is the Autism Service Post Primary Intervention Team Lead. She has worked in the social care sector for seven years. She began as an Autism Intervention Therapist (Band 6) in February 2017 and was promoted to Intervention Team Lead (Band 7) in May 2020.
Social Care Journey
Olive was attracted to work in social care due to her specific interest in autism and had previously worked within the Education Authority.
Prior to joining the social care sector, Olive completed qualifications in Early Years Care and Education (NVQ3) in 2006, TEACCH (an autism support, research, and training programme), PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Safeguarding training, and an Early Years Degree (completed in December 2012).
“Within my role, I do not have ‘professional’ training or points to gain each year, so I need to be self-motivated to continue achieving new learning. I read books, intervention documents, and research literature to remain current in my practice. I follow social media trends and individuals who share their personal experiences of autism.”
Olive has received support within the service since taking up her post.
“I was advised early on to continue developing my learning portfolio in lieu of a professional qualification. This has allowed me to progress to a higher band.”
Learning and Development Journey
Olive has undertaken a wide range of continuous learning and development, including the mandatory, refresher, and corporate induction training required by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. This has included:
- Information governance
- Moving and handling
- Fire safety
- Infection prevention and control
- Equality, good relations, and human rights
- Recruitment and selection
- Health and safety risk assessment
- Suicide awareness
- Autism and girls
- Anxiety and autism
- Incredible Years accredited training
- OT sensory training
- Supervision training
- Insights for Managers (Modules 1–4)
- Patient safety training (three sessions per year)
Olive completed the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 3 in 2019 and Level 5 in July 2020.
“These courses helped me shift my mindset into the role of manager within the Health and Social Care Trust and gave me the tools to effectively take on my current role.”
Other Learning and Development
Olive had undertaken the following additional courses:
- ACEs Training – a one-day, in-person session (February 2020)
- LGBTQIA+ – a lunchtime workshop (February 2023)
- Mental Capacity Act (MCA) – in-person training (February 2023)
- Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults – online (May 2023)
- Conflict, Bullying, and Harassment Training – online (January 2024)
- Care Opinion Responder – online (June 2024)
- Regional Quality Improvement Programme – one-year course completed (February 2025)
- Safeguarding People – online programme including legal aspects of managing safeguarding cases and participating in Care Planning meetings
- Waste Management – online training to provide an understanding of waste management
Olive has also participated in ongoing in-house training with the wider Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Autism teams. These sessions covered a range of topics to support staff development and awareness. Olive has also presented at several of these sessions.
In addition to mandatory and refresher training, Olive consistently seeks to enhance her knowledge in areas relevant to her role. This includes the following courses:
- Middletown Centre for Autism professional training
- Strategies to effectively support young people on the autism spectrum
- Dealing with transition and preparing for adult life
- Challenges for research into educational interventions
- Sensory motor activities within curriculum topics
- Goal setting
- Sensory processing and motor skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Strengthening and maintaining positive behaviours
- Early intervention in autism
- Young at Art – an art therapy certificate
Career Progression
Olive is interested in progressing her career. While content in her current role, she finds the limited opportunities outside of pursuing a qualification in social work, allied health, or nursing frustrating.
“I feel content within my role at present – in the future I would like to be able to consider opportunities within this team and continue my pathway of progression".
Care in Practice Framework
Olive is aware of the Care in Practice Framework and understands that it provides a structured approach to professional growth within the service. It also supports non-professionals in achieving continuous learning and development.