Occupational Therapy Students

The Occupational Therapy Service welcomes students and provides regular placements to Occupational Therapy Students. Our contract for placement provision is with the University of East Anglia (UEA) and we provide both BSc and MSc placements throughout the academic year.

  students

We are keen to provide student education, believing that this is beneficial to the service, as well as contributing to the future of the profession. Students become part of the various speciality teams and work alongside the Occupational Therapy Staff, as well as receiving ongoing formal supervision to help them achieve their learning objectives.

We consider approaches for elective placements from students of other Higher Education Institutions within service provision requirements – the approach should be made via the Practice Education Co-ordinator from the University. However, we do not usually offer elective placements to UEA students unless this has been previously agreed with Catherine Wells.

As a Service we use Reed and Sanderson’s Human Occupations Model and the Bio-psychosocial model.

reed and sanderson

What to expect

Each unit, within the service, has specific expectations of pre-placement preparation, and offers various opportunities for the development of clinical skills. However, we are currently developing core goals for learning and professional behaviour. During your placement you will be expected to complete a short case study or presentation and present this to the team within which you are working.

General Placement Information

  • There is no parking available on site. For students who do not live within walking or cycling distance (cycle racks are available), or on a bus route, the Costessey Park and Ride offers the most convenient option.
  • The lunch break is half an hour. There are break rooms and outside seating areas (when the weather is good enough) where you may eat. There are staff discounts available in the restaurant and coffee shops.
  • Students are expected to wear uniform whilst at work. This includes flat, black, enclosed shoes and no jewellery, except a simple wedding band and stud ear-rings. You must not wear uniform to and from work, there are changing facilities and a shower available.
  • The core hours of the service are 8.30am-4.30pm, however, some clinics run at other hours
  • You will receive a pre-placement letter which includes further information.
  • Please let us know if you feel you have any special needs that should be taken into account prior to your placement. You are welcome to come for a pre-placement visit to discuss any issues, if you wish.

Placements are co-ordinated within the service by Clare Herrington, Cate Harper and Julie Brooke.