Elizabeth Roger

BSc , DIPCOT

Neurology, Learning Difficulties, Orthopaedics, General Medicine / Surgery, Chronic Pain, Sensory Impairment

Introduction
I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1982 from the Grampian School of Occupational Therapy, Aberdeen since when I have had experience of working within a wide variety of treatment settings for statutory and charitable providers of services. I have specialised in the field of paediatrics since 1995 working in community and educational settings with children and young people who have a wide range of physical disabilities, sensory impairment and learning difficulties. My work involves the assessment of children who have a variety of congenital and acquired conditions. Each case requires the compilation of comprehensive reports and I liaise with other expert witnesses and legal teams in the preparation of these. I may be called upon to present evidence in court.

Since 1999 I have combined self employment as an independent practitioner with a clinical paediatric role working within a large independent charity and more recently within schools in Kent and Surrey. I have been employed by the Christmas Children's Clinic in Tunbridge Wells, where I provide an occupational therapy service for children with disabilities in two mainstream schools in Surrey and Kent. I also provide a consultative service to Quest school in Kent, which is a specialised school for children with autistic spectrum disorders and whose teaching methods are based on applied behavioural analysis (ABA) theories of practice.

I am a moving and handling advisor and was responsible for the delivery of training, related to people handling skills and inanimate object moving and handling, to a staff group of approximately 200 at the Royal London Society for the Blind, whilst working at Dorton House school. I continue to carry out risk assessments, both individual and environmental, and I have completed training in accessibility audits.

I joined Somek and Associates in 1999 and have written many reports on Care and Occupational Therapy needs, as well as Loss of Service and Dependency reports, being instructed by Claimants and Defendants and as a single joint expert. I have carried out assessments in the UK and abroad, including the US.

I have undergone training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses. In 2008 I became a medico-legal casework supervisor with Somek and Associates and therefore have also mentored many experts.

I completed an Expert Witness Certificate through Cardiff University Law School in September 2009.

Professional Affiliations
British Association of Occupational Therapists
College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - Independent Practice
College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - Children, Young People and Families

I have served on the South East Regional Committee of the National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists for approximately 9 years and was Co-Chair person for the group between 2000 and 2005. I am currently Finance Officer for the Children, Young People and Families specialist group for the South East Region and regularly organise training and networking opportunities for Occupational Therapists within the region.

Professional Education
Registration Number: HPC OT11402
2009    Expert Witness Certificate, Cardiff Law School
1999    BSc (Hons) Psychology, Open University
1995     Foundation in Social Sciences, Open University
1982    Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Grampian School of Occupational Therapy