Preceptorship
Emma Tyrrell and Alison Edwards reflect on introducing a preceptorship programme to adult social care in Norfolk .
Preceptorship
Feature
A catalyst for change
Emma Tyrrell and Alison Edwards reflect on introducing a preceptorship programme to adult social care in Norfolk .
A s a local authority , Norfolk County Council has undergone lots of positive change over the past few years that has increased awareness of the role and value of occupational therapy within adult social care . The Care Act ( 2014 ) has been a catalyst for this change . Occupational therapy is founded on similar principles of a person-centred approach that promotes independence with an emphasis on wellbeing , which can ultimately prevent , reduce or delay the need for care and support .
Following the appointment of a principal occupational therapist in 2019 , to lead the occupational therapy workforce , there was a drive for innovation and change . Such change encouraged the learning and development of new and existing staff , while ensuring better outcomes for our service users and organisation .
At this time , occupational therapy staff used a self-directed workbook to evidence their development and progression from a Level 1 to Level 2 occupational therapist . This was in contrast with our social work colleagues , as they undergo an established programme of support and development in their first year of practice , named the ‘ Assessed and Supported First Year of Employment ’ programme ( ASYE ).
Norfolk County Council identified the need to bring parity between the two professions and review the current occupational therapy workbook and its approach to learning and assessment .
Developing the programme
With a research and development focus on leading with this project , a practice consultant occupational therapist post was created within Norfolk ’ s Institute for Practice Excellence Team .
Initially , the focus of this role was to establish networks with other organisations and professionals who have experience with launching similar development programmes . It also entailed researching publications and literature on development frameworks where the term preceptorship was explored with its benefits well documented .
Also referenced was RCOT ’ s Career Development Framework and the Skills for Care adapted careers framework for social care occupational therapists , Learning and Development Framework for Occupational Therapists – new or returning to social care ( 2019 ).
Key findings that Norfolk County Council identified from this research essential for the occupational therapy development programme included :
• The need for a structured and assessed programme of support and learning , reflecting individual needs .
• Reference to an adapted framework specifically for social care occupational therapy roles across reablement , housing and older people and physical disabilities teams .
• An assigned mentor for the length of the programme .
56 OTnews July 2023