provision , minor and major adaptations and making appropriate referrals .
Supervision structure
We established a robust supervision system to support students . In the first two weeks , we conducted group supervisions involving all four students and both educators . This encouraged shared learning and team cohesion .
We then shifted to individual supervision to provide tailored support as students managed their own cases . This allowed us to address their unique development needs and clinical reasoning .
Challenges and solutions
Meeting the learning needs of a group of students with varying knowledge levels and personalities was a challenge . We adapted by incorporating Q & A sessions and reflective discussions during supervision .
Balancing the workload was also tricky , as both occupational therapists conducted up to four visits a day with two students each . To maintain pace , we dedicated Fridays to group supervision and self-study . This structure allowed us to meet our targets , while managing our regular occupational therapy and management responsibilities .
Lessons learned
In terms of capturing the experience of people using the service , future iterations should gather service user feedback to evaluate student performance and people ’ s level of comfort during assessments .
We found that , while group supervision worked initially , students preferred individual supervision as they gained responsibility . In the future , we will limit group supervision to the first week .
Finally , around project leadership , we found managing both the project and advanced practitioner duties challenging . In the future , we will have two experienced practice educators to better balance oversight and day-to-day responsibilities .
Results and impact
The project yielded impressive results . Over eight weeks , students completed 118 assessments , averaging four cases a week per student . None of the people required further occupational therapy intervention after student input . The outcomes included :
• 51 referrals for major adaptations
• 46 people requiring equipment or minor adaptations
• 4 people requiring rehousing
• 12 people receiving advice or onward referral
• five cases resolved with people buying their own equipment .
Remarkably , students managed 50 % of our occupational therapy waiting list , demonstrating the effectiveness of both the teambased placement model and the proportionate assessment pathway .
Management skills for project leadership
Leading this project required several key management skills :
• Project planning and co-ordination : meticulous planning was essential , from securing approvals to arranging IT access and developing a structured induction . These logistical details ensured a smooth project start .
• Team leadership : leading students of different abilities and fostering teamwork required strong leadership . The project succeeded by balancing team cohesion with individual growth .
• Time management : with two occupational therapists balancing clinical and managerial responsibilities , efficient time management was critical . Structured schedules , including dedicated supervision days , ensured that both educational and clinical roles were fulfilled .
• Reflective practice : encouraging students to engage in reflective practice fostered critical thinking and problem-solving skills , crucial for their future careers .
• Adaptability : flexibility in managing the diverse needs and learning styles of the students was key to ensuring their development .
In conclusion , ‘ The Student Project ’ not only enriched the learning of the students but also significantly improved department efficiency . By reducing waiting times and showcasing the potential of collaborative placements , the project highlighted the benefits of innovative practice in occupational therapy education .
This success has garnered interest from two local councils considering implementing a similar approach .
Words HASAN ISHAQ , Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist , and QASIM SULEMAN , Occupational Therapist at Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council . For more on RCOT ’ s workforce reform programme visit www . rcot . co . uk / workforce-reform / 2024-programme
Over eight weeks
118
assessments were completed
November 2024 OTnews 13