Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship

This apprenticeship has been developed with Trusts across Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care System and in consultation with independent healthcare providers.  The provision has been specifically designed to meet employer and future workforce needs, with a delivery model that best supports service delivery.

The programme will offer a study pathway to enable students from varying academic backgrounds to access education based on personal and educational needs. It will enable students to develop the Standards of Proficiency required to practice as Occupational Therapists (HCPC, 2022), and be fully prepared to enter employment in both traditional and contemporary areas of Occupational Therapy practice. Diverse learning opportunities seek to enable students to develop professional resilience, to adapt to new situations, to confidently deal with ongoing changes and developments in the profession’s contribution to health and social care.  The programme aligns with the four pillars of practice providing the foundations for graduates to progress in their careers clinically, in research, leadership or education.

Occupational therapy is a dynamic profession that is constantly evolving and expanding. validation of the apprenticeship route of the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme will provide learners with a programme of education that has a strong occupation focus throughout. A programme that develops graduates’ competence to respond to, adapt to, and compete within the dynamic nature of technological and societal change. Student’s off the job learning will comprise a mixture of on-campus taught University education, supported by resources and activities provided through the Virtual learning environment for the programme and relevant modules, work-based learning and practice (placement) learning.

The programme aligns to the four pillars of practice with each module identifying the relative focus across clinical practice, leadership, education and research.  The programme is designed to develop professional competence and enable graduates to respond to, adapt to, and compete within the dynamic nature of technological and societal change.

Key characteristics within the programme include: 

• Work-based learning model of delivery where students and employers can clearly identify the off the job and on the job learning focus for each week of the programme. 

• Innovative curriculum ensuring graduates are equipped for the future working world 

• Evidence-informed teaching, with the development of research skills and capabilities progressing year on year 

• Real-world learning, with clear academic underpinning and practice integration 

• Professionally accredited and approved 

• Application of Practice Learning embedded throughout the programme. 

• An Inclusive Curriculum where every student is able to see themselves reflected in the curriculum with equality, diversity, holistic practice and allyship threaded throughout 

• A strong focus on professional development 

• A sustainable programme 

The United Nations department of economic and social affairs have produced goals for sustainable development. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists have also published guiding principles for sustainability in Occupational Therapy practice, education and scholarship. 

As Occupational Therapists we need to be mindful of sustainability within our practice and ensure practice can be underpinned by a focus on sustainability.  Sustainability from both a personal perspective, and from an environmental and professional perspective, is at the heart of the programme; specifically addressing the following Sustainable Development Goals: 

• Goal 3: Good health and wellbeing- Learners should facilitate positive health and wellbeing to allow the people we work with to be able to contribute to their community
• Goal 4: Quality education- The programme aims to provide high quality education monitored through the university quality assurance processes and those of the Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)  
• Goal 5: Gender equality- Learners should practice in a non-discriminatory manner ensuring they do not disadvantage or exclude anyone with protected characteristics and that they meet their needs irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientations, culture, faith or ability
• Goal 10: Reduced inequalities- learners will develop an understanding of the lived experience of the people we work with in order to reduce barriers for them in terms of health and wellbeing
• Goal 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions- the programme will encourage learners and those we work with to positively contribute as global citizens.

• Applicants will ideally have a minimum qualification at level 2 in maths and English prior to starting the programme and be able to evidence completion of this. Visit Gov.uk to find qualifications that are accepted as suitable equivalent maths and English requirements.
• 3 A levels or equivalent:
  • T Level: Merit
  • BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project)
  • Access to HE Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
• In the case this has been longer than 5 years then satisfactory evidence of on-going evidence based CPD may be requested, and these applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• As applicants are already employed (as this is an apprenticeship), we will seek applicant and employer confirmation of their good character, and confirmation of enhanced DBS as part of the enrolment process
• Health clearance check: As applicants are employed and should have undergone appropriate health clearance including any required immunisations for their employers ; We expect students to make an annual declaration of their good health conduct and character thereafter
• Support of employer in order to complete the apprenticeship aspect of the programme, with a commitment to permit the student to undertake supervised practice that will allow them to meet the requisite HCPC competencies and apprenticeship standards; The required evidence of merit and potential to complete successfully will be investigated and evidenced during the admissions process
• Every apprentice must hold a Commitment Statement, which sets out the detail for the delivery of their apprenticeship (training plan) and must also set out what is expected and offered by the employer, higher education provider and the apprentice in achieving the apprenticeship
• If applicants have previously studied any Health Professional Education Programme, they will need to self-declare that there were no previous concerns regarding fitness to practice.

Employers

The cost of the apprenticeship will normally be in line with the funding band of £24,000 but individual agreements will be considered depending on student numbers and the involvement of employers.

Apprentices

Your employer will pay the fees with government-funded support or through the apprenticeship levy.

Applications to this apprenticeship will need to be made through the employer. However, you can find out more from us - please see below for contact information.

If you are an individual who is not yet employed within this sector, you may find the following links useful:

• Career Finder
• Step into the NHS

Contact us

Apprenticeship Hub

• Email: apprenticeships@derby.ac.uk
• Phone: 01332 593092

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