From Student to Occupational Therapist Assistant at Hollybank Trust

Meet Isabel!

Isabel completed a student work placement within our Occupational Therapy team in 2024, joining us from Leeds Beckett University. Five months down the line since Isabel finished her placement, she is now an Occupational Therapist Assistant here at Hollybank Trust!

Isabel told us that her student placement and the work experience that she gained with us confirmed that working with children and adults with learning disabilities was an area of professional interest for her.

She said: “My work experience at Hollybank Trust gave me a unique insight into what Occupational Therapy looks like in practice, and what it can do for people with profound needs. The broad range of skills I learned during my placement, and that I am continuing to develop whilst working here, are relevant both within the context of a wide range of services and whilst working with a variety of people and conditions, broadening my CV in the early stages of my career.”

Here’s more about what our new member of the Occupational Therapy Team said about her student placement opportunity and the hands-on, practical and multifaceted work experience that she gained:

1. Hi Isabel! First of all, congratulations of your graduation! What originally sparked your interest in Hollybank and applying for a placement and job with us?

I have a personal and professional interest in working with people with learning disabilities, supporting them to have access to meaningful occupations and gain the skills needed to live meaningful lives.

2. What were you studying at Leeds Beckett University whilst you were completing a placement with us and what were some of your highlights of the course?

I was studying a Master’s in Occupational Therapy (OT). Placements have been the highlight of the course as I like getting stuck in and understanding how the theory applies in practice.

3. Had you had any experience of working in care settings or working with people with disabilities before coming to Hollybank?

I grew up with a sister with Down’s Syndrome and I worked as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities in supported living alongside my course. However, I wanted experience working with adults and children with a higher level of need to get a better understanding of the complexities of supporting this population.

4. During your placement at Hollybank, and now in your role as Occupational Therapy Assistant, you have been learning about the different types of equipment used in school and homes. Is there anything in particular that you have found interesting about the different types of equipment and their individual purposes here at Hollybank?

I have found it really interesting learning about the range of bespoke and highly individualised equipment options available and the complex chains of clinical reasoning required in order to assess each person for each item.

Finding creative solutions to ensure that we are always using the least restrictive option and promotes function while maintaining each person’s safety has been particularly interesting.

5. Speaking of creativity, could you tell us a bit more about the sensory stories that you have been creating at Hollybank Trust, and describe for us what sensory stories are?

Sensory stories invite and embrace multi-sensory exploration through interactive narratives using visual props and sound cues. When putting these narratives together, I sometimes choose scenarios for the narratives which are familiar/relatable for the adults, whilst including sensory items that create a sense of intrigue. The purpose of these sessions can vary from person to person, but some of the more general aims of these sessions include:

1. Exploring the experience depicted in the story from a sensory perspective

2. Enjoyment and engagement

3. Challenging potentially difficult situations and sensations residents might encounter by implementing a graded approach to new/challenging situations and sensations, therefore, I chose a story about going to the hairdressers and another about going on a winter walk.

6. During your work placement, you organised a drop-in café session called ‘A Cup of Tea with OT’, which involved some of the adults who we support serving hot drinks and snacks to our staff members. How did the adults respond to their roles during this session and what did the OT team assess that they gained from the experience?

We invited adults who we thought would benefit from participating in serving hot drinks and refreshments for people. Most of those who got involved appeared to really enjoy the responsibility that participating gave them, and seemed to experience a sense of achievement from having contributed to the event.

From a functional perspective, the event was a really good opportunity to work on sequencing, concentration, fine and gross motor skills and risk awareness (to name just a few!), which are all important skills that are applicable to numerous activities and tasks that facilitate independence and wellbeing.

The social aspect of the event was also really valuable to many of the participants and customers and we had feedback about how nice it was for residents from different houses to socialise together.

Following on from success of the event, I have planned a therapeutic intervention based on this to enable the adults to continue to participate and develop these skills.

7. When organising events like the Cup of Tea with OT coffee morning, what do you think are the three most important things to remember when involving those with disabilities in a task and giving them a role and responsibilities on the day of the event?

1. Is this activity meaningful to the individual? Are they motivated to participate?
2. How can I give them as much control and autonomy as possible during the activity
3. It’s okay if they take longer or make a mess – efficiency is not the priority!

8. Each person we support at Hollybank requires person-centred approach to care. Were there any challenges that you faced when getting to know the needs of each individual at Hollybank and how did Hollybank support you with improving your communications with individuals?

Communication was challenging to start with as I was unfamiliar with the various communication styles of many adults within the trust. However, I attended a Level 1 Makaton an Intensive Interactions training session hosted by the Speech and Language Therapy Team. Upon completion of these training courses and sessions, I was able to better understand the adults’ needs, build positive therapeutic relationships, and facilitate engagement within Occupational Therapy sessions.

9. What have you enjoyed about working with the Occupational Therapy team and sharing in knowledge and skills with one another so far?  

The OT team (and wider therapy team) have all been really welcoming and supportive, helping me to understand the potential for Occupational Therapy within Hollybank and for children and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

10. All that’s left to say is congratulations on your new role Isabel and long may your development in this role continue!

Thank you! I am really enjoying the variety of responsibilities, and interventions across both children and adult services, within my role.