OCCT1040 (2025-26)
Placement 1
This 6-week placement offers the chance to experience current practice across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and nearby counties. Most placements are in health or social care settings, but may include private, voluntary or independent sectors. You will be assigned one, or more Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registered therapists as placement educators. Depending on the supervision model, you may also work closely with a wider team. An Academic Contact from the school's occupational therapy team will support your learning, and meet with you, and your educator at least once during the placement. You will be supernumerary to the service staff.
This placement focuses on applying skills developed in the academic programme and beginning to engage with service users and professionals. Supervised by your placement educator(s), you’ll be encouraged to take increasing responsibility, based on your confidence and ongoing assessment.
At mid-way and at the end of your placement you will receive a numerical grade across all the domains of assessment. This will help you identify your strengths and areas for development in future placements. However, this placement is PASS or FAIL.
Integration of Service Users (SUs)
Working closely with service users of various ages, cultural backgrounds, and clinical specialities is key to learning and competency development in health care programmes. This placement links with Level 4 modules, allowing you to apply foundational knowledge to understand how different conditions affect occupational engagement. You will also explore the occupational therapist’s role in enabling users to manage their conditions, re-engage in meaningful activities, and, where appropriate, participate in rehabilitation.
Multi-Professional Learning
Academic and practice partnerships are central to programme development. As in other Level 4 modules, you will have opportunities to work and learn alongside students from other health professions. This interprofessional experience will support both your academic growth and your personal and professional development. This module includes multi-professional simulated learning, in state-of-the-art simulation facilities to help prepare you for practice.