Lisa’s scores a degree hat-trick with Sunderland

A Sunderland mum whose research has helped transform the lives of families across the country living with autism and complex behaviours graduated from the University of Sunderland for the third time.

Dr Lisa Alcorn has become one of the UK’s leading advocates on the use of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), a person-centred approach to supporting those with complex challenging behaviours, without the use of physical restraint. PBS has become more widespread in the health and social care industry since the Winterbourne View Care Home scandal in 2011 when the Department of Health introduced new guidelines on restrictive practices.

Lisa has been championing the PBS model over the last six years with the support of a Professional Doctorate from the University of Sunderland, helping to put PBS theories into practice and developing a national framework for practitioners.

It is a job she’s now doing as National Director of Operations with Potens, a provider of specialist support for adults with complex needs.

After stepping on stage to collect her Professional Doctorate at the Stadium of Light, Lisa was graduating for the third time, having already completed an undergraduate degree in Management, followed by a Masters in Applied Management all at the University of Sunderland.

However, she admits that her proudest moment has been seeing the impact her work has had on the life of a six-year-old autistic boy, now happily settled back into mainstream school following a period of exclusion, thanks to the PBS approach.