Supporting pre-registration learners

There are over 7000 pre-registration learners studying across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. About 3500 new learners begin their studies each year.
We are committed to ensuring our future occupational therapists have a positive introduction to the profession and those involved in both their university and practice-based learning feel supported to be the best they can be.

This page has a range of resources to support many aspects of pre-registration education. Expand your screen to the right-hand side to find links to key resources. Click on the headings below to find out more about each of the topics and associated resources. We regularly add new resources.

Send us your feedback here.

Our Learning and development standards for pre-registration education describe the profession’s expectations that education providers must meet when delivering an occupational therapy pre-registration programme in the UK. RCOT manages an Accreditation Process, using these Standards to assess occupational therapy pre-registration programmes and ensure quality in their design and delivery.

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is a federation of occupational therapy organisations recognised by the United Nations, with official standing with the World Health Organization.

WFOT sets the minimum standards for occupational therapy practice internationally. As an organisational member of WFOT, RCOT holds the delegated authority to confer WFOT approval. This ensures that graduates of an RCOT accredited pre-registration programme hold a qualification recognised in most WFOT member countries.

Therefore, RCOT’s Accreditation Process ensures that UK occupational therapy pre-registration programmes:

• meet the education standards set by the profession;
• meet the education standards set by the international community;
• are responsive to current and predicted local, national and global issues which may affect the profession;
• produce graduates who are fit for academic award, practice, purpose and the profession;
• produce graduates who hold a qualification recognised in any WFOT member country.

The team supporting your accreditation and ongoing quality assurance are Clair Parkin, Caroline Grant, and Anna Pratt. They can be contacted at qa@rcot.co.uk.

Find out more about our accreditation and quality processes.

At the Placement Cafe, we’re bringing together people who support placements for pre-registration learners. It's an opportunity to network and discuss ways of creating quality, sustainable opportunities. The café will be held on Teams on a monthly basis, with a new theme each month.

Our aim is to provide a space for practice educators and those involved in supporting OT placements, allowing you to:
•    meet with peers
•    share your good practice
•    problem-solve your challenges
•    bring your innovative ideas to life.
 
*The café is open for both RCOT members and non-members involved in the delivery of placements. Currently, we don’t host a café for learners (students and apprentices).

Our next café is on Wednesday January 10 January, 1–2pm.

If you would like to attend this café and/or be added to the Placement Café Network to be kept up to date with all future cafés, please email education@rcot.co.uk. By joining the network you’ll be able to connect with other members beyond the café via a Teams chat. 

Principles of practice-based learning considered 

1.   Practice-based learning opportunities are co-produced 

4.   Practice-based learning uses flexible, appropriate and supportive models of supervision and   
      delivery 

7.   Practice-based learning is evaluated; capturing data to drive improvement and demonstrate  
      impact 

00:03:00 From innovative emergency response to sustainability.  The Peer Enhanced e-Placement (PEEP) model. 

Professor Lisa Taylor, Professor in Employability and Learning Innovation, University of East Anglia  

00:25:13 Occupational therapy placement in public health. 

Cate Bennett, Principal Occupational Therapist, Nottinghamshire County Council 

Teresa Rushton, Occupational Therapy Practice Placment Coordinator, University of Derby 

00:47:40 Student-led Clinical Learning Environment (SLCLE) clinical placement expansion project. Using a coaching approach to facilitate multidisciplinary student learning to enhance students’ confidence and skills. 

Elizabeth Julian, Therapies Placement Manager 

Sharon Marshall, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 

01:04:04 Questions, reflections and feedback 

Please do provide feedback on this session via https://forms.office.com/r/Sa3NneATZz  

Principles of practice-based learning considered 

2.   Practice-based learning takes place across all areas, pillars and levels of practice 

4.   Practice-based learning uses flexible, appropriate and supportive models of supervision and  delivery 

5.   Practice-based learning is designed with a whole team approach 

00:02:57     A team-based approach to practice-based learning whilst providing CPD opportunities. 

Elma McAvoy, Occupational Therapy Practice Education Coordinator, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 

00:25:12    Practice-based learning as a CPD opportunity – Long-arm supervision. 

Claire Hedley, OT Practice Education Lead, NHS Education Scotland 

00:39:10    Pre-registration education: a CPD opportunity for you! 

Carolyn Hay, Pre-registration Education Manager, RCOT 

01:26:00    Questions, reflections and feedback 

Please do provide feedback on this session via https://forms.office.com/r/Sa3NneATZz

Principles of practice-based learning considered 

1.   Practice-based learning opportunities are co-produced 

4.   Practice-based learning uses flexible, appropriate and supportive models of supervision and delivery 

00:02:26    Practice-based Learning – our legacy. 

Claire Hedley, OT Practice Education Lead, NHS Education Scotland 

00:19:48    Practice-based learning – your legacy: inspiring stories from inspired learners. 

Laura Ingham – R&D Lead, Occupational Therapy  & Lead Practice Education Coordinator, Occupational Therapy Service, SBUHB 

Dion Sutton – Occupational Therapist, Former Pre-registration student, School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University 

00:50:49    Questions, reflections and feedback 

Please do provide feedback on this session via https://forms.office.com/r/Sa3NneATZz 

Principles of practice-based learning considered 

2.   Practice-based learning takes place across all areas, pillars and levels of practice 

4.   Practice-based learning uses flexible, appropriate and supportive models of supervision and delivery 

5.   Practice-based learning is designed with a whole team approach 

00:03:12    Delivering a non-traditional placement with housing partners. 

Helen Brown & Fran Mills, University of Derby 

Jenny Watson & Jane Hadson, Derby Homes 

00:25:13    A leap into the unknown: delivery of a personalised care improvement project. 

Amanda Sangster, NHS England Personalised Care Delivery Partner 

Paige Yarwood, Occupational Therapist TEWV NHS Foundation Trust 

Torie Rennie, Occupational Therapist  

00:53:08    Broadening practice-based learning opportunities.  Everyone needs a PAL! 

Anita Volkert, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy / AHP Practice Placement Lead 

Katrina Bannigan, Head of Department and Professor of Occupational Therapy 

01:04:04    Questions, reflections and feedback 

Please do provide feedback on this session via https://forms.office.com/r/Sa3NneATZz  

Principles of practice-based learning considered 

2.   Practice-based learning takes place across all areas, pillars and levels of practice 

7.   Practice-based learning is evaluated; capturing data to drive improvement and demonstrate  
      impact 

00:02:35    Learning from equality, diversity and inclusion incidents 

Simone Welch, Specialist Senior Occupational Therapists, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 

00:19:33    Bridging the gap to leadership: working collaboratively with students and external partners to tackle racial inequalities in practice learning. 

Dr Channine Clarke, Head of Practice Learning and Development, University of Brighton 

Marie Ruel, Bartolomeu Cunha, Occupational Therapy Students, Canterbury Christ Church University  

00:45:03    Developing resources for just, equitable and inclusive practice placements: a fireside chat with OT@Brunel 

Sheherazad Kapadia, Sydney Lai, Winnie Chan, Carolyn Connage, Jou Yin Teoh, Brunel University  

01:02:39    Questions, reflections and feedback 

Please do provide feedback on this session via https://forms.office.com/r/Sa3NneATZz

Principles of practice-based learning considered 

1.   Practice-based learning opportunities are co-produced 

2.   Practice-based learning takes place across all areas, pillars and levels of practice 

3.   Practice-based learning environments must be inclusive and welcoming to all 

4.   Practice-based learning uses flexible, appropriate and supportive models of supervision and delivery 

5.   Practice-based learning is designed with a whole team approach 

6.   The practice education team are valued, respected and recognised within their roles 

7.   Practice-based learning is evaluated; capturing data to drive improvement and demonstrate impact 

00:03:00    From innovative emergency response to sustainability.  The Peer Enhanced e-Placement (PEEP) model. 

Professor Lisa Taylor, Professor in Employability and Learning Innovation, University of East Anglia  

00:25:13    Occupational therapy placement in public health. 

Cate Bennett, Principal Occupational Therapist, Nottinghamshire County Council 

Teresa Rushton, Occupational Therapy Practice Placment Coordinator, University of Derby 

00:47:40    Student-led Clinical Learning Environment (SLCLE) clinical placement expansion project. Using a coaching approach to facilitate multidisciplinary student learning to enhance students’ confidence and skills. 

Elizabeth Julian, Therapies Placement Manager 

Sharon Marshall, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 

01:04:04    Questions, reflections and feedback 

Please do provide feedback on this session via https://forms.office.com/r/Sa3NneATZz  

Access resources to support practice educators and those involved in placements. 

Resources to support learners (students and apprentices)

• Find out more about how RCOT can support you
• We are developing resources specific to supporting students and apprentices and will update this page as they become available. Do take a look around our website to access our wide range of support, resources and networking opportunities. Find out more about our RCOT Carnduff Learner Forum.
• We host a rolling programme to meet with RCOT staff as part of an enhancement programme while you are doing a non-traditional placement.