consultancy
As an independent consultant, Karan supports policymakers, and health and social care service providers to potentially address and deliver superb outcomes for a hitherto neglected but growing part of the community
Karan has worked with three of the UKs leading and largest private domiciliary care organisations including, Sevacare, Care Mark and Kare Plus to further enhance their existing dementia education programmes to develop a culturally competent and person-centred workforce. Her work also involves research support and consultancy for organisations including universities, and guidance to help local areas develop policy and practice in this area.
In 2013 she was invited to the House of Lords to give evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the importance of person-centred dementia care, and developing that care through an understanding of the individual’s unique culture and history. Her research was recognized in the AAPG report “Dementia does not discriminate: The experiences of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities (July 2013).
In 2015, Care Mark UK developed a model for domiciliary care to be delivered in Cochin (Kerala, India).
Karan was invited to Cochin to not only deliver a talk at the launch of Care Mark India about the importance of cultural competence training in dementia care but to also develop and deliver a bespoke training programme with the newly employed care workers. Following this, she delivered leadership training for Care Mark franchisees in the UK.
In 2016, she was invited to SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York by the Director of the Department of Neurology to consult on how they can deliver care that is culturally competent to stroke patients experiencing vascular dementia. The trip involved a tour of the department in practice, consultations with senior staff members, the delivery of a seminar and workshop with course participants, followed by a six-month follow-up to identify any changes in practice. Course participants reported increased confidence levels when working with people in a cross-cultural situation.
In 2018, she worked with the West Midlands police to develop training to support their diversity and inclusion agenda. This involved the development and delivery of a short course in cultural competency and dementia care.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is one of the UK’s largest funder of health and care research, providing the people, facilities and technology for research to thrive.
In light of the increased numbers of people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities contracting Covid-19, the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands has dedicated time to develop training and resources to increase research participation from BAME members of the community. In 2020, Karan was invited to the team to advise and develop training and resources to help researchers achieve cultural competence in their studies.
In 2020, she joined Contollo Care Group as a Non-Executive Director to monitor and review the company’s diversity and inclusivity policies, training opportunities and operational practices.
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Education & Training
With over ten years’ experience of working in the Higher education sector, Karan has extensive experience of developing and delivering bespoke courses, small and large lectures and seminars based on the latest research and evidence based practice.
research
As an academic, Karan’s research interests in the challenge of dementia care, particularly within Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities have spanned nearly a decade.
publications
Karan has published in an array of academic arenas, with her work featured in a number of books, journal articles and reports.