Module Directory

You will be introduced to the foundations for occupational therapy, studying informing theories and sciences of occupation, and learning core skills for professional practice.

Theory and practice will be brought together in enquiry-based learning, developing your understanding of professional practice. You will attend the EXPLORE practice placement as consolidation of the module.

The aims of this module are:

• To offer different modes of learning as a foundation for future practice.


• To ensure the regulatory and legal context is understood within a developing critical appraisal of contemporary occupational therapy practice.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Critically evaluate occupational therapy in theory and in practice.


2. Engage in reflective and enquiry-based learning to synthesise and advance knowledge of human occupation, health and wellbeing.


3. Demonstrate critical judgement in applying professional knowledge, values and core skills in a given scenario.


4. Demonstrate critical judgement in applying knowledge of the OT process relevant to your placement setting (PP - Explore).


5. Engage in critical reflection to develop professional practice (PP - Explore).


6. Demonstrate the ability to interact with individuals/people using a broad range of communication styles (PP - Explore).

This module is the first step in the journey to meet the requirements of the College of Occupational Therapists and register to practice with the Health and Care Professions Council as an occupational therapist. The different elements of the module all contribute to professional development. As an introductory module, all elements will be revisited in subsequent modules as knowledge, understanding, thinking skills and practical skills develop.

The required standards for, and challenges to, professional practice will be explored primarily within enquiry-based learning, using cases to promote understanding of complex practice scenarios and ambiguities in practice from the outset. Informing theories and sciences will be explored using blended learning approaches, to foster deep learning of key concepts and ideas, forming the foundation for future practice. Evidence and application will be an integral part of this element, requiring critical discussion. The stress response will be used as a primary reference point for this element, enabling the integration of prior learning with an occupational perspective. The stress response has been chosen because of its effect on the whole body, drawing on the work of Wilcock (2006) and her observations of the fundamental importance of occupation for managing the stress response for survival and health. This focus will also enable the development of personal understandings with reference to professional literature.

There will also be experiential learning of safe practices, and core skills and values, some of which are mandatory for practice in health and social care. Integration of these different elements will be explored with the personal academic tutor, focusing on continuing professional development.

This module will be delivered via:

• Independent study; enquiry-based learning; tutorials.

Independent study will enable students to develop a critical and self-directed approach to learning, using the experiential core skills workshops and mandatory training as a focus for reflective learning. Study tasks will focus and direct learning about informing theories and sciences, considering the evidence and issues in application.

Enquiry-based learning will provide a group setting for shared learning, giving students a forum for exploring prior learning, new learning and future learning needs.

Tutorials with the personal academic tutor will set a foundation for individual professional development for the remainder of the programme.