Dr Ruth Parker PhD has been an occupational therapist since 1985 working in the NHS and in Social Care as a clinician, a legacy mentor and in leadership roles. She is currently a Research Associate at the University of Lincoln and an Independent Occupational Therapist. She lives in Lincolnshire, UK.

• Introduction. 1. Adapting to Working life - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 2. Continuing Professional Development - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 3. Models and Frames of Reference in the Real World - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 4. The Acute Hospital Setting - Sean O'Sullivan. 5. Paediatric Occupational Therapy - Melanie Elliott. 6. Mental Health - Sara Brewin. 7. Learning Disabilities - Ruth van der Weyden. 8. Children with Disabilities - Ruth Parker. 9. Adult Social Care - Julia Badger and Dawn Simm. 10. Adaptations - Kate Sheehan. 11. Manual Handling - Jo McKee. 12. Legislation - Julia Badger and Kate Sheehan. 13. Thoughts on Information Governance and Data Protection - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 14. Closing Thoughts and Next Steps - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. Acknowledgements. References. Index.

When I qualified 25 years ago, I experienced what felt like a deep daunting crevasse between what I had been taught at university and the realities of my first occupational therapy post. Written by real occupational therapists, this book provides a reassuring bridge across that crevasse, safely guiding the reader along the student to practitioner journey. Whilst the book explores the realities of working in a modern UK health & social care system, the writers also demonstrate how it is possible to practice in a way that promotes the values and philosophy underpinning our profession.

Dr Ruth Parker PhD has been an occupational therapist since 1985 working in the NHS and in Social Care as a clinician, a legacy mentor and in leadership roles. She is currently a Research Associate at the University of Lincoln and an Independent Occupational Therapist. She lives in Lincolnshire, UK.

• Introduction. 1. Adapting to Working life - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 2. Continuing Professional Development - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 3. Models and Frames of Reference in the Real World - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 4. The Acute Hospital Setting - Sean O'Sullivan. 5. Paediatric Occupational Therapy - Melanie Elliott. 6. Mental Health - Sara Brewin. 7. Learning Disabilities - Ruth van der Weyden. 8. Children with Disabilities - Ruth Parker. 9. Adult Social Care - Julia Badger and Dawn Simm. 10. Adaptations - Kate Sheehan. 11. Manual Handling - Jo McKee. 12. Legislation - Julia Badger and Kate Sheehan. 13. Thoughts on Information Governance and Data Protection - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 14. Closing Thoughts and Next Steps - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. Acknowledgements. References. Index.

When I qualified 25 years ago, I experienced what felt like a deep daunting crevasse between what I had been taught at university and the realities of my first occupational therapy post. Written by real occupational therapists, this book provides a reassuring bridge across that crevasse, safely guiding the reader along the student to practitioner journey. Whilst the book explores the realities of working in a modern UK health & social care system, the writers also demonstrate how it is possible to practice in a way that promotes the values and philosophy underpinning our profession.

Dr Ruth Parker PhD has been an occupational therapist since 1985 working in the NHS and in Social Care as a clinician, a legacy mentor and in leadership roles. She is currently a Research Associate at the University of Lincoln and an Independent Occupational Therapist. She lives in Lincolnshire, UK.

• Introduction. 1. Adapting to Working life - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 2. Continuing Professional Development - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 3. Models and Frames of Reference in the Real World - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 4. The Acute Hospital Setting - Sean O'Sullivan. 5. Paediatric Occupational Therapy - Melanie Elliott. 6. Mental Health - Sara Brewin. 7. Learning Disabilities - Ruth van der Weyden. 8. Children with Disabilities - Ruth Parker. 9. Adult Social Care - Julia Badger and Dawn Simm. 10. Adaptations - Kate Sheehan. 11. Manual Handling - Jo McKee. 12. Legislation - Julia Badger and Kate Sheehan. 13. Thoughts on Information Governance and Data Protection - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. 14. Closing Thoughts and Next Steps - Ruth Parker and Julia Badger. Acknowledgements. References. Index.

When I qualified 25 years ago, I experienced what felt like a deep daunting crevasse between what I had been taught at university and the realities of my first occupational therapy post. Written by real occupational therapists, this book provides a reassuring bridge across that crevasse, safely guiding the reader along the student to practitioner journey. Whilst the book explores the realities of working in a modern UK health & social care system, the writers also demonstrate how it is possible to practice in a way that promotes the values and philosophy underpinning our profession.