Dan Redfearn

Lecturer Practitioner - Autism Specialist Nurse

• Allerton C508
• T: 0161 295 7122
• E: d.redfearn1@salford.ac.uk
• SEEK: Research profile

2 ½ days per week variable to demands of both university and practice schedules.

Prior to undertaking my professional training, I worked with adults with learning disabilities in both residential and day service settings providing therapeutic interventions such as hydro and rebound therapies, as well as supporting independent living and promoting access to community and leisure facilities. This included a period as manager of a day centre where I developed management and supervision skills.

My completion of the joint LD nursing and Social Work programme served to reinforce and legitimise many of my existing values and practices and gave validity to my experience. It also introduced new ideas, concepts and theories that challenged me to continue my learning and development.

Since completing my professional qualification in nursing (RNLD) and Social Work (DipSW), I have continued to develop and enhance my skills, knowledge and confidence as a professional and flexible, learning disability practitioner.

I worked initially as a community nurse providing health focused support to adults with a learning disability – promoting health and inclusion through assessment and intervention of physical, emotional and behavioural needs.  

My interest in supporting individuals with ‘challenging behaviour’ led to employment as a community behavior nurse supporting interventions with adults with a learning disability in order to promote health and inclusion whilst minimising risk using principles of positive behaviour support. I also undertook further training in supporting adults with LD and complex needs at this time.

I am currently working as an autism specialist nurse providing individual and group support to adults with an autism spectrum condition (who may have a learning disability, or not). I do this utilisng  skills in complex casework, management, training, supervision and service development.

All my practice work has included a focus on providing support and education to other workers and I am a registered lead trainer in the CITRUS model of physical intervention for adults with learning disabilities.

I have always had an interest in higher education and research, and have undertaken two secondments to university teaching posts (2006-2007 & 2010-present) and recently completed a teaching qualification. I engage in all activities required for such a teaching position and am currently admissions tutor for the joint programme.

I am committed to further development academically and through research and am registered on the PhD by Publication programme within the School of Nursing Midwifery & Social Work.

Principle teaching is on the BSc (Hons) Integrated Practice in Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work and currently the admissions tutor for this programme.

I also have some input to the BA Social Work and BSc (Hons) Nursing programmes.

I have a general interest in research related to the support of people with autism and/or learning disabilities, but particularly in the following areas:

• The needs of adults with Autism in relation to access to interventions and therapy.
• Health inequalities and discrimination experienced by people with learning disabilities.
• User involvement in education and training
• Physical intervention for adults with learning disabilities

1997. BA (Hons) Communication Studies. 2:1. University of Glamorgan.

2003. Diploma in Professional Studies in Nursing and Social Work. Universities of Manchester and Salford.

2005. Mentorship in Practice (Level 3). University of Leeds.

2009. Post Graduate Certificate in Adults with Learning Disabilities who have Significant and Complex needs. University of St. Andrews.

2012. Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice. University of Salford.

Fellowship of Higher Education Academy.

NMC registrant, sign off mentor and registered teacher.

Pepe, A. & Redfearn, D. 2013. Advoacy. In Worsley, A. Mann, T. Olsen, A. & Mason-Whitehead, E. Key Concepts in Social Work Practice. London: Sage Publications.