Pictured above at the presentation are Lead Governor Mike Hobbs, Mental Health Liaison Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability Reasonable Adjustment Service Robyn Darby, Trust Chair David Walker and Team Manager Bernie Ennis.

Robyn is a valued team member in the Reasonable Adjustments Service, a liaison service at Oxford Health who support clinicians and other professionals in Oxfordshire to understand the needs of autistic people and/or those with a learning disability who are open to their service – reducing barriers and allowing those who need it most to access our services.

A role model for colleagues and a proud co-chair of the disability equality network within the Trust, her exceptional patient and service user care and the support she provides teams are the reasons for her nomination.

Team Manager Bernie Ennis acknowledged Robyn’s positive attitude, enthusiasm and excellent care, commenting: “Robyn exemplifies absolute expertise and professionalism in what she does and is the lead of our knowledge for autism and the Trust’s best resource.”

Lead Governor Mike Hobbs presented Robyn with her well-deserved award, recognising her exceptional achievements.

The nominations

Robyn received two nominations for the award.

Mental Health Liaison Social Worker Natasha Dineen said:

“Robyn has been invested and involved in the development of the pilot program of the Reasonable Adjustment Service for the NHS and the expansion of the team from two members to ten.

She has gone above and beyond in her role, including her clinical responsibilities and duties that has been reflected not only in her direct work with patients, but in her supervisory role supervising and upskilling team members. Robyn’s passion for neurodivergence underpins not only the backbone and ethos of the team, but in her own values professionally and personally. Robyn is a calm and steady individual, with a cheery disposition whom one would be pleased to have around in a crisis. She is reliable, dependable and loyal, upholding her personal values and the NHS standards and code of practice. Robyn ensures her practice remains safe not only just for herself, colleagues but most importantly the patients she supports too.

Robyn has extensive knowledge base of reasonable adjustments to support autistic people accessing mental health support. She promotes strength-based practice and person-centred principles and has wide knowledge of support technologies for autistic people, support groups and community activities.”

AHP Lead Learning Disabilities Michelle Fisher, added:

“Robyn excels, individually considering the needs of autistic, very complex and hard to reach individuals who might without her expertise not get the appropriate care and treatment they need. Her care and dedication are second to none, her process to ensure safety is thorough and complete, her expertise known by all who repeatedly call on her skill and knowledge.”