Julia Skelding

Learning Disabilities Modern Matron, Sheffield Health and Social Care

I am a qualified Learning Disability Nurse and currently work as Modern Matron within the Learning Disability Community Service.

My previous roles have been varied and have included being a Nurse Consultant within Learning Disability services, a Clinical Nurse Practitioner in the National High Secure Learning Disability Service and I have also worked in a hospice for children and young people as well as supporting people with mental health needs in a variety of settings.

I have a special interest in ensuring the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism are met, and I have been particularly focussed on taking forward the Learning Disability/Autism agenda within services. Whilst working within the National High Secure Learning Disability service I was involved in the development and implementation of the first high secure LD/autism service, and this involved aligning national and local pathways, empowering staff, and providing key training in this specialist field. To support this, I studied for a MA in Autism with the Tizard Centre, University of Kent. I also trained in autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments and chaired a forensic neurodevelopmental group that worked across all services embedding autism informed practice, supporting assessment, and providing guidance. I was shortlisted in the 2020 National Autism Society Autism professionals’ awards in the outstanding healthcare professional category.

I have a PGCert in professional practice in law (MH law) and in my current role I am passionate about collaborating with colleagues in mental health services and supporting the Greenlight working agenda, as a Matron I am guided by the Modern Matron handbook and responsible for the oversight of nursing quality standards, the Learning Disability Service is undergoing significant transformation and I am involved in service development and supporting the nursing team.

I love being a nurse due to the variety that the role offers, as shown by the different settings that I have worked in, no day is the same and there is no danger of ever getting bored!!! I have worked with so many different people and feel very privileged to have supported people through very difficult times from those living with severe mental illness right through to supporting people with life limiting conditions end of life care.