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• Additional supervision with the focus on reflective practice and learning and development needs .
• A collaborative approach between the occupational therapist , their line manager and an assigned mentor , meeting at three-monthly intervals .
• Promotion of reflective practice , selfevaluation , and use of goal setting .
• Incorporated protected caseload and continuing professional development time .
• The length of the programme to run for 18 months , to allow for adequate development time to progress from Level 1 to Level 2 occupational therapist , resulting in a progression in pay .
• The need for a programme of support for not only newly qualified occupational therapists , but also for those returning to practice and those transitioning in their career to social care .
• To use the term ‘ preceptorship ’ for our programme , as this is the universal language for support programmes across the allied health professions , including occupational therapy .
The overall aim is of improving the wellbeing and confidence of staff in the workplace , building resilience and improving staff recruitment and retention , while also acknowledging the diversity of the workforce and the role they are in .
Launching and growing the programme
Following on from this , Norfolk County Council created some localised practice standards for occupational therapy for our organisation and adapted Skills for Care framework ( 2019 ) to form the foundation of the development programme .
The preceptorship programme was subsequently launched in November 2021 , with the practice consultant occupational therapist role leading with delivery and acting as the primary mentor for the occupational therapists joining the programme .
The preceptorship programme originally started with 14 Level 1 OTs , who were at various points in their career journey . In addition to this , there were several vacancies across the council and two impending start dates of Level 1 OTs .
It was soon evident that the preceptorship programme uptake would grow and an additional mentor resource was appointed to , with a second practice consultant occupational therapist .
In the 12 months since its inception , several occupational therapists have successfully completed the preceptorship programme and it is at this point that we can share our experience of delivering what has proven to be a successful resource .
This is in conjunction with our regulatory body the Health and Care Profession ’ s Council ( HCPC ) and Health Education England , as they plan to publish a set of evidence led principles that seek to standardise the quality
July 2023 OTnews 57