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Steve Appleton
Steve Appleton has over twenty years experience in health and social care. He originally trained as a social worker and worked with adults with learning disability, older people and subsequently specialised in mental health services. His broader experience is comprised of operational, strategic and development roles in local authorities and the NHS.
Steve has a national reputation in the field of mental health and has developed and maintained a wide range of influential contacts across agencies and professional disciplines. His experience includes being an expert advisor to the National Treatment Agency, being a member of the National Prison Health Development Team and a member of the National Mental Health and Learning Disability Leads Groups.
From 2003-2007 Steve held the senior mental health lead role for South Central Strategic Health Authority and its predecessor Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority, holding the post of Head of Delivery and Service Improvement. His responsibility was leading strategic development, policy implementation and performance management in mental health, learning disability, substance misuse and health & social care in criminal justice.
Steve has built up particular expertise in the development of effective commissioning in mental health, having been part of the National Mental Health Development Unit commissioning programme. As part of his work he produced guides for commissioners on mental health commissioning, housing and QIPP.
Steve also has experience in the commissioning and delivery of inquiries into serious untoward incidents involving multi-agency co-ordination, and independent investigations. Recently this has included supporting West London Mental Health Trust with a number of critical incident reviews, as well as chairing a Serious Case Review for Hampshire LSCB.
Steve served as an independent health expert to the Football Foundation and is also the non-executive chairman of Social Health Ltd, a social enterprise company supporting young people to access health services through sport.
Since joining Contact Consulting in Spring 2007 Steve has completed a number of complex assignments, his current and recent clients include:
- National Mental Health Development Unit
- Housing LIN
- NHS Hertfordshire
- Hampshire Local Children's Safeguarding Board
- NHS South Central
- West London Mental Health Trust
- Yorkshire & Humber Improvement Partnership
- Pfizer Ltd