Meet February 2025's Health Hero
Janie Darks, a Learning Disability Continuing Care Nurse Assessor, has been crowned February’s Health Hero for her passion and commitment to delivering outstanding and empathetic care to children and young people.
Janie qualified as a learning disability nurse in 2019 after working in a school for children with additional learning needs. She joined Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as a children’s community nurse before becoming a Learning Disability Continuing Care Nurse Assessor in 2022.
Speaking of her role, Janie said: “Supporting children with additional learning needs at school is what gave me a love and passion for working with children with learning disabilities and complex behaviours.
“Studying as a mature student after 25 years out of education wasn't easy. It took hard work and determination, but I love my job, and it was the best decision I made — being able to support the children and their families highly motivates me.
“I'm very much an advocate for children and their families with learning disabilities and complex behaviours and it's my goal to make sure they get the best support to enhance their quality of life. Every child is a child first and has the right to live a full life with dignity, respect and the opportunity to develop channels of inclusive communication." Janie is currently working towards gaining a specialist practitioner qualification, which will lead to a master's degree.
Janie was nominated by colleague Laura Hutchinson, a Senior Nurse for the Integrated Children's Community Children's Nursing Service.
Laura said: “Janie always goes above and beyond for the children and young people she cares for and their families. While she is now in a new role, she continues to work with the Continuing Care Team and is a real asset. The service received lovely feedback from the parent of a young man with complex health needs and additional learning needs which demonstrate this.”
Janie has supported the parent and their son for five years and in their feedback, the parent said: "Janie is a wonderful nurse in so many ways and my son absolutely loves his shifts with her. She is passionate about delivering outstanding care and goes above and beyond her role, many of the things our son can do today are thanks to Janie and all her support.
“She is a bundle of fun and energy, yet professional and personable which I think are great attributes for a nurse. Her ability to teach others and put people at ease has been really important to us because she has shown new staff how to earn his trust and best support him in the best possible way. Without Janie, we would never have started toilet training and with her encouragement, it’s going really well.
“Janie has given us the most wonderful five years. The empathy and care she has shown when things have been tough are immeasurable. I have never known a nurse so truly dedicated to a child’s best interests in every way possible. She is kind, selfless, and one of a kind."
Health Hero is kindly sponsored by Park Plaza Cardiff and Janie has won an Afternoon Tea for Two experience.