OT7012 - Principles of Occupation-centred Practice

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will build on foundational knowledge and skills from year one, by further developing in-depth critical knowledge and understanding of occupation-centred practice in a range of contexts. You will critically analyse the complexity of occupation-centred practice and evaluate the challenges to ethical practice considering a range of local, national and international drivers including policy, legislation, professional guidelines and evidence. Topics in this module will include:

· Maintaining occupation-centred practice to promote occupational justice
· Influences of public health, policy, legislation, and professional guidelines on occupational therapy
· Exploring opportunities for positive risk taking to enable choice
· Occupational perspectives of prevention and community engagement
· Developing professional judgement and evidence based critical reasoning to deliver person centred ethical practice

You will engage with experts from practice, as well as people and communities with lived experience to gain insight and appreciation of a range of health, social and/or environmental factors that influence occupational participation and engagement.
The role of reflective practice and professional reasoning will be considered in terms of exploring the opportunities for promoting occupation-centred practice and the continued development of the profession.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through a range of student-centred approaches designed to support your transition to year two of your Masters-level study. Active learning through enquiry-based approaches, peer-led projects and critical thinking tasks will support you to further develop the knowledge and skills that you will use throughout the remainder of the course and your future career. Lectures and sessions with experts (including experts by experience) will introduce you to key module concepts, with practical and seminar sessions utilised to explore these further in interactive and experiential ways. Technology, including audio-visual and online material, will be used to support observations and discussions. You will also be able to access learning support including information, help and support on using the library, academic/study skills and IT systems here at Northumbria. Tutorial sessions will also form part of your module learning; tutorial sessions may be in the form of individual or small group tutorials.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The identified module tutor, alongside the module teaching team, will structure a blend of face-to-face and on-line learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. The module handbook, the reading list, and information communicated throughout the module within sessions and via Blackboard (Northumbria University’s Virtual Learning Environment) will all signpost you to resources to support your academic development.
A formative assessment opportunity with staff and/or peer feedback will assist you to evaluate your own progress within the module and identify areas for development. Assessment preparation with the module teaching team will also be an integral part of the module.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically analyse occupational therapy practice within a range of health, social care, education and community contexts.
2. Critically reflect on the value of individuals and communities with lived experience as a source of knowledge.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Critically reflect on their own learning and development, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development.
4. Demonstrate competence in the skills required for successful collaborative and inter-agency working in health, social care, education and community contexts.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Critically engage with relevant policy, legal and ethical frameworks to manage complex and ambiguous areas of practice.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:
Group poster presentation, with peer, tutor and expert by experience oral feedback.
Individual poster/reflective account plan, with tutor written feedback. (MLOs 1,2,3,5)

Summative assessment:
Poster with 500-word reflective account demonstrating critical analysis of occupation-centred practice

Individual poster incorporating the principles of occupation-centred practice in a chosen context supported by a 500-word reflective account related to the poster (MLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Your summative assessment mark and feedback will be returned to you within the University standard of 20 working days, normally accessed through the module Blackboard (Northumbria University’s Electronic Learning Platform).

Pre-requisite(s)

OT6005, OT7010

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Occupational therapy places occupation at its core, reflecting the profession's philosophy, values, knowledge and skills. This module, building on foundational knowledge and skills from year one, enables you to further develop in-depth critical knowledge and understanding of occupation-centred practice in a range of contexts, working collaboratively with experts (including experts by experience).

You will consider and reflect on occupational perspectives of prevention and community engagement to promote occupational justice. Analysis and evaluation of public health policy, legislation and guidelines will support you to further develop professional judgement and evidence based critical reasoning to deliver person centred ethical practice on placement and in future employment.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Full Time

School Communities and Education

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2026

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

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All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

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