I am part of a dedicated brain injury group that provides holistic support, helping families rebuild their lives amidst the emotional and practical fallout of severe neurological diagnoses. My role is to bridge the gap between clinical understanding, legal processes, and day-to-day family life, offering clear guidance and compassionate support through what can feel like an overwhelming journey.

Supporting the Whole Family

• My work goes far beyond what many would consider traditional midwifery. I support families with a range of vital, practical issues, including:
• Wills and Power of Attorney – helping families plan for the future with confidence.
• Benefits applications – guiding them through complex systems to access financial support.
• EHCP advice – helping parents navigate educational frameworks and advocate effectively for their child.
• Decoding medical records and terminology – ensuring families fully understand what has happened and what it means.
• Legal processes – supporting with clinical negligence claims, deputyship applications, and Court of Protection matters.

But perhaps the most valuable aspect of my work is being a calm, empathetic presence. These families are often dealing with unimaginable stress, grief, and confusion. I offer not just information, but time, space, and compassion, helping them feel heard, held, and empowered in the face of enormous difficulty.

 

Enforcing Nursing Workforce Standards as a Midwife

Although my professional background is in midwifery, I actively uphold the RCN Nursing Workforce Standards within my role. These standards serve as a valuable framework for ensuring safe, high-quality care even outside of the NHS. In the independent sector, I ensure manageable caseloads, promote reflective supervision, and commit to ongoing professional development.

Wellbeing is at the heart of how I work, not just for the families I support, but for myself and my colleagues too. We regularly engage in reflective practice, clinical supervision, and peer support to help manage the emotional toll of this work and maintain professional integrity.

 

A Midwife’s Place in the RCN

I’m proud to be a midwife and equally proud to be a member of the RCN. The support, standards, and resources offered by the College are just as relevant to midwives working in advisory, advocacy, and independent roles as they are to nurses. I’d encourage other midwives, especially those working in non-traditional or interdisciplinary settings, to explore the benefits of RCN membership, it’s a powerful way to stay connected, informed, and supported.

 

Why I Do This Work

This isn’t just a job for me it’s a calling. Every parent I support, every child whose story I help honour, every complicated document I help simplify, it all matters. I am reminded daily that midwifery and nursing are professions built on advocacy, empathy, and trust.

To those considering a career supporting families affected by childhood brain injury, whether you're a nurse, a midwife, or a clinical advisor know that your skills, your voice, and your care can bring hope where it’s needed most.