2018 The QSIR programme NHS Improvement

2015 Nye Bevan Programme for Executive Leaders – NHS Leadership Academy

2013 Post Graduate diploma in Leadership – University of Huddersfield

2005 Independent Non- Medical Prescriber - University of Hull

2004 MSc Leadership & Change Management - Middlesex University -Classification 2:1 with Merit

1998 RMN Registered Mental Health Nurse - South Yorkshire College of Health Studies

1998 BMed (Sci) Mental Health Contemporary Practice - University of Sheffield -Classification 2:2

1996 BA (Hons) Professional Studies in Learning Disability - University of Manchester - Classification 2:1

1993 RNLD Registered Nurse Learning Disability - North Yorkshire College of Health Studies

1992 Professional Diploma in Nursing Studies (Learning Disability) University of Ripon & York St John.

Mr Harling is a Registered Learning Disability Nurse and a Registered Mental Health Nurse. He has served in a senior capacity at local, regional, and national level and has over 35 years’ experience working across the health and care sector.

Mr Harling possesses a range of executive competencies and director level experience, which includes investigatory and procedural management, Clinical standards and governance, strategic planning, service design, transformational leadership, and a broad range of expert clinical knowledge. Mr Harling is a dependable and respected clinician and leader and prides himself on his integrity and his strong value base.

Mr Harling has exemplary communication and interpersonal skills and has proven track having served as expert clinician for several high-profile enquiries and reviews. Mr Harling hold a national profile within the NHS and graduated to master’s level. In 2024 Mr Harling was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to vulnerable people and their families.    

Knowledge Skills &Experience:

Commissioned by NHSE & Ministerial Programme Board to undertake a high-profile case review of an individual subject to nine years in long term segregation.

Commissioned by the Chief Nursing Officer for England to lead reviews of all the ex-residents of Winterbourne View with a remit to report to the joint ministerial programme board.

Created and designed the national Care and Treatment Reviews and accompanying policy and led on the development of the national patient safety tool.

Led the design, delivery and oversight of the national Learning Disability Improvement Standards.

Served in the role of clinical assurance lead for the national investigations following the deaths of vulnerable individuals whilst in NHS care.

Served as expert clinician on the independent review into the death of Oliver McGowan and was subsequently commissioned to lead a secondary assurance review in relation to implementation of recommendations arising from the independent review.

Served in the role of national patient safety lead for learning disability and led on the original commission for the LeDeR programme and the national advisory board for the premature deaths of people with a learning disability.

Served as board member on a number of national boards, including the national Transforming Care delivery board, the National Autism board, the Inpatient Transformation Programme board, The Review of the Mental Capacity Act and the National Health and Care Partners delivery board.

Served as expert advisor to the review of the Mental Health Act.

Served as expert advisor to the post incident response board following the scandal at Whorlton Hall.

Served as Regional Senior Clinical advisor in Learning Disability to the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health authority to produce and implement the Darzi Healthy Ambitions strategy and pathway for Learning Disability and Autism.

A wealth of experience at designing and delivering teaching, presentations and master classes including parliamentary presentations, national awards and provision of bespoke training for the Nursing Council of Ireland.

Served in an advisory capacity on a range of national policy and strategy developments including work with Department of Health, the Kings Fund, National Offender Management Service, Foundation of Nursing Studies, Royal College of Nursing, Valuing People Support Team, Royal College of Psychiatry, Challenging Behaviour Foundation.

Published a range of work in both an independent and collective capacity and published at both a regional and national level.