PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
NETWORKING
Networking call from HEE South East AHP Clinical Fellow
This call is to mental health and learning disability occupational therapists working as approved mental health professionals ( AMHP ) or best interest assessors ( BIA ) to join a one-off focus group .
I would like to explore : what motivates and interests you ; what the
© GettyImages / mitay20
challenges are in becoming and undertaking these roles ; and how we can support those who may be interested in future .
As an occupational therapist working in mental health , and currently on secondment as a South East Region AHP Clinical Fellowship , I am keen to contribute to the growth of the occupational therapy workforce potential by developing a report that includes your views .
The focus group will be held on Teams on Monday 15 March at 10am to 11.30am .
The Mental Health Act 2007 broadened the range of professionals eligible to become approved clinicians – a person approved by the appropriate national authority to act as an approved clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983 ; while a responsible clinician is the AC who has been given overall responsibility for a patient ’ s case .
Although this opportunity is open to occupational therapists , numbers have remained low . Hence my interest is to explore the views of those in associated roles ( AMPH and BIA ).
If you are able to attend or have any questions , please contact :
Toni . king @ nhs . net or on Twitter : @ ToniKingOT
Participants for masters ’ study on sleep deprivation needed
Charlotte Hobson is a final year masters degree student at Ulster University , undertaking a dissertation study to explore the views and practices of occupational therapists addressing sleep deprivation within acute hospitals for older adults .
Participation within the study would involve an online interview to gain insight into occupational therapy and sleep deprivation for the older population in acute hospital settings . The interview would take approximately 30 minutes to one hour .
Participants need to be a registered occupational therapist ( unfortunately not an assistant ) working in an acute hospital setting . Please contact Charlotte Hobson by email for further information :
hobson-c1 @ ulster . ac . uk .
© GettyImages / Olha Khorimarko
New RISE NI Parent website launched
The Regional Integrated Support for Education team in Northern Ireland ( RISE NI ) works in partnership with schools to support children ’ s learning across all areas of the curriculum .
This includes the social and academic skills required to give the children the best chance to succeed in the future .
The trans-disciplinary team , which includes occupational therapists , speech and language therapists , physiotherapists , behaviour specialists , clinical psychologists and therapy assistants , work with children and education staff in mainstream nursery and primary schools .
On 11 January 2021 , a regional website specifically for parents and carers of children in mainstream nursery and primary school ( up to P4 ) was launched , with the aim to provide support and information digitally .
The RISE NI information leaflets , suggested activities / resources and parent training videos , aim to promote development of speech and language , fine and gross motor skills , and social and emotional development .
RISE NI teams from across all five of Northern Ireland ’ s health and social care trusts contributed to the website , which was
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designed and built ‘ in-house ’ by a Belfast trust occupational therapist and speech and language therapist .
60 OTnews February 2021