Lorna Marshall

I have gained the majority of my experience over 7 years working in mainstream residential services with children and teenagers who have experienced serious adverse childhood experiences. These events have psychological, physiological, and sociological impacts and can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being. I have worked both in behavioural units and also in therapeutic residential units that follow a social pedagogy model of care. Social pedagogy is a holistic and relationship-centred way of working. Social pedagogy is about constantly creating and providing opportunities for learning through interaction with children; joint activities; being in a relationship and connection to others.

Some of my previous experience includes working in a classroom setting with pupils aged between 4 and 18 years who have been assessed to have a moderate, severe or profound general learning disability.

I have previously worked and volunteered in Barretstown Camp. This is a residential camp for children with serious illnesses that offer a range of adventurous and challenging activities while being supported by safe, medical attention and care. The medically endorsed Therapeutic Recreation programmes at Barretstown is about allowing children and their families who are battling serious illnesses to have fun again and repair the damage the illness has done.

My most recent role is working in a detention centre for children and teenagers as a youth program facilitator. In this setting I use play materials as a medium to provide children and teenagers with a social and emotional space to explore their feelings safely.