The introduction of occupational therapy apprenticeships is continuing apace with the first apprentices getting to work in London and Leicester.
Two have been taken on by Leicester City Council in partnership with Coventry University in one of the first local authority schemes in the country. Zahira Ravat and Heidi Askam work in the city council as care management officers and were selected as part of an application process earlier this year. Two further candidates have also received conditional offers for the 2020 intake of the course.
Leicester deputy city mayor for social care, councillor Sarah Russell, said: ‘By offering staff the chance to qualify as occupational therapists, we are helping to ‘grow our own’ skilled workforce rather than having to rely on external providers.
‘It also means that by investing in these apprenticeships, we are offering staff the chance to train while also helping recruit much-needed skilled workers.’
Megan Heaphy, occupational therapy apprentice in London
The first apprentice in London has also started in post, with Coventry University partnering with West London NHS Trust.
Megan Heaphy became interested in the profession after volunteering with an occupational therapy team in an east London hospital. She now works as an occupational therapy assistant, helping patients with complex personality disorders, and as an apprentice will split her time between university and Broadmoor Hospital.
Megan said: ‘I am really excited to be starting my occupational therapy apprenticeship, and to be the first in London to do so is just the icing on the cake. It is a real privilege to be looking after patients and by undertaking this apprenticeship, will give me that further experience and training to be able to deliver even better care.’
Helen Lycett, West London NHS Trust’s AHP lead, who played in an integral role in building the partnership, said: ‘Working on an occupational therapy apprenticeship is hugely important for those who want to progress their careers in this field of healthcare. ‘Partnerships like ours with Coventry University are essential as it enables us to share our expertise and resources, unlocking the potential of those willing to be successful occupational therapists.’