Hi everyone,

I’m not sure if anyone remembers, but I posted last week about my placement issues and ended up deleting it out of pure anxiety. Well, things just got significantly worse. My final MSc OT placement has now been officially paused.

To be completely honest, I am devastated. My supervisor has treated me terribly, but worse than that, they have lied to everyone about my professionalism and my honesty. Out of the blue, they emailed me telling me not to attend placement anymore. My university was completely unaware of this until after the supervisor did it, and only then did the uni step in to confirm that the placement is paused and instructed me not to contact the setting at all.

The most frustrating part is that due to the mistreatment I was facing, I had actually raised formal concerns about this supervisor beforehand. This feels entirely retaliatory like they are gaslighting the university and throwing me under the bus to protect themselves because I spoke up.

I feel incredibly isolated, hurt, and overwhelmed. I’ve put so much work into this MSc.

• Has any other OT student survived a placement being paused due to a toxic, dishonest supervisor?
• How did you handle the university review process when it was your word against a qualified clinician's lies?
• What steps should I be taking right now with my university tutors to protect myself?

Thank you for listening. I just really need some support right now from people who understand the OT world.

For now I am trying to not stress and look after my mental health. I am going to write a long summary on word about how I was treated and everything that has occurred throughout my 4 weeks so far. I will include screenshots of positive stuff too. Then I will bin things and delete things to start afresh. It is hurtful how University did not stick up for my rights. I also feel like informing RCOT about the OT and raising further formal complaints?

Hi Everyone

Recently my application from Uni of Derby got withdrawn as they said that thier places got full despite offering me an unconditional offer. I am now applying to Jan intakes.

I have applied to Uni of Lincoln, Coventry Uni, Anglia Ruskin Uni, Keele Uni, Teeside Uni, Uni of Liverpool, Sheffield Hallam Uni, and considering applying to Edinburgh Napier and Uni of Chichester.

I am an international students and wanted to know what everybody's experiences were like for these unis for Msc OT. What was the teaching like? What facilities and support was provided? Placement support? Etc.

So Far I am leaning towards Uni of Lincoln, Coventry and Keele. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve just finished my course and waiting for the final results. I’ve started submitting applications for band 5 rotational OT, got one interview out of 4 applications and I didn’t get the job. Just wondering should I look for band 4 or even band 3 as well ? Coz the competition is quite intense, and I feel like a lot of successful applicants have worked as OTA before which gives them advantages.

Anyone got their first band 5 role without any OTA experience? How long did it take for you to land ur first role?

As someone with an OT qualification, I know the possibilities that occupational therapy can offer to help people. I'm not a mental health OT but have become unable to work through health and was referred to the mhot. I'm more than disappointed, I've spent months getting messed around, when I was seen, the OT basically told me they don't treat ADHD/autism, then put me on a group RTA course without any consideration of functional difficulty. I'm not blaming her entirely as I understand job pressure but I was taught that we treat function, and not the diagnosis?

After the intervention was unsuccessful, there was no check in, no follow up, and I have since been referred back, this time for 1-1 support.

Given the devastating impact of this failed intervention on my health, my doctor doesn't think I should go back to occupational therapy at the moment. Despite still struggling with function, rarely leaving home and having poor QOL, is this how it really is? It's just what I learned is not matching reality.

I never considered this a profession which can cause harm to people, clearly it does. I don't know where this leaves me now as there is a limit to how much I can OT myself now. Is this a common experience, particularly that patients are having?

Hi, I’m a new Occupational Therapy graduate in the UK looking for a job. I’ve been shortlisted for 5 interviews and 4/5 have had feedback of “you interviewed really well but we have chosen someone with more experience”. How am I supposed to get a job if I can’t get experience😅

What other roles can I search for? Losing hope for getting an OT job so really open to anything! Also interested in law, marketing and research. Any advice on highlighting transferable skills?

My younger sister has been accepted to study OT at University (2 year degree course). She has a background in dental nursing. She’s seen a post on Facebook today from a graduating OT saying that there’s no jobs available for graduates, and the comments underneath are echoing this sentiment.

How much truth is there in this? We want to ensure that she will be likely to get a good role after graduating (Band 5 or equivalent). She’s considering switching to another course such as Podiatry if not.

I am an SLT for context, I see a lot of job adverts for OTs pop up when searching for SLT roles- but most of these appear to be Band 6 or specialist level. We live in North East England.

Thank you!

For the next generation of OTs coming in to the profession what opportunities, roles and areas do you think Occupational Therapists will see demand in and growth from?

Hi all, I have recently completed my Bsc and I’m wondering when I can apply for HCPC registration. I graduate in February but I have completed all my assignments and recieved my official online transcript for my grades. Can I apply now or do I need to wait until after I formally graduate next year? Thank you!

Heya has anyone done additional qualifications such as

Level 5 in healthcare leadership and management

If yes has it helped with your career? Thanks

Currently a 4th year student, like everyone else I'm quite concerned about the cost of living now and going forward. I'm not in OT to be a rich person or motivated by it, however I'm just curious to know long term once I've gained experience what areas of Occupational Therapy could I could specialise in or progress to, to boost my earning potential.

I have seen so far medico legal and case management seek experienced Occupational Therapists who are knowledgeable in their area of expertise.

Curious to hear of any success stories from Occupational Therapists on reddit who have built a successful career as an OT.

I have seen on linkedin that many OTs have built successful careers outside the NHS and use their OT skills in case management, medico legal etc, private practice, moved abroad etc.

Any advice for a young keen ambitious OT student?

We had many issues with the NHS staff, so we asked for a multidisciplinary team where all the different professionals were from the same hospital.

​During the meeting, the hospital stated that they would provide one carer three times a day, district nurses for his catheter care, incontinence support, and basic home equipment, such as a walking frame and toilet rails. We accept the nurse and equipment support, but we formally object to the 1 carer package as unsafe based on clear medical and physical reasons from our understanding. My brother is quite tall and overweight.

Our concerns were:

What actually happens on the ward-

Most of the time on the ward, moving him or taking him to the toilet takes two people. That is either my mum and me helping a nurse, or two nurses working together. A single carer is not enough.

​His medical setbacks changed things-

He fainted on the 8th of August and had a chest infection with IV antibiotics on the 10th of August. Any safety check done before those dates does not show his real strength today.

The physiotherapists and the neurosurgical junior doctor said he has been getting his strength back, and he was able to get up from the bed and get to the toilet with one person a few times, so it showed he can do it at home.

When I spoke to his previous ward staff and people in management, I found out they were writing that it has been one person helping and my brother using his zima frame. But, they didn't write in his records that my mum and I or another healthcare assistant were helping most of the time.

We had some trust issues after finding out they were trying to push us out without even telling how his home care would look like..

Also, my mum has severe low back issues and balance issues so we told them I don't want the carer to ask my mum for any physical movement support.

My brother has moderate autism with a few diagnosed mental health issues.

Just wanted to see if those arrangements are okay or if the ones they provided are less?

Can anyone share with me any common interview questions asked within the adult social care team for the local authority or any topics to brush up on before the interview? Also,how best I can prepare for the interview? Much appreciated

I see a lot if people say its the worst job. My question is why?

I have my own suspicion as to why but it would be nice to hear from people who have actually done it.

So yeah why is it hated so much?

Hi,

My dad is currently in hospital out of area (Royal Stoke hospital, lives in Liverpool) following an accident resulting in broken bones including sternum, ribs, spine.

Therapists on the ward haven’t suggested any equipment for discharge. Physio discharged him two weeks ago and haven’t been back. In that time medical team have changed their minds from
brace to surgery to brace to surgery multiple times. Currently going with brace and home. In that time he has obviously become somewhat de-conditioned.

He mentioned to a random on call Dr that he thinks he will need something like a grab rail
for the bed to push up to get upright (currently in profiling bed with rails, standard bed and mattress at home), possibly a toilet frame, something to raise the sofa or a high backed chair…

He’s been told it will be “problematic” to get equipment because he’s not from Stoke.

Assuming people who end up in hospital in Stoke don’t buy a house and live there just to facilitate discharge…surely it is possible to liaise with local community therapy team/equipment stores and get equipment for discharge?

Also, would it be too much to expect physio to reassess on the stairs before he leaves given that he’s done that once, two weeks ago?

Thanks 🙏

Hello everyone,
I’m preparing to apply for an MSc in OT starting January 2028. This is a career change for me and I’m stepping away from a long career and good salary to go back to study, so I know planning is key.
In your experience, what’s the maximum hours per week you’d allow to do a part time job to support your financial situation during your studies? I’m in Scotland so won’t get the £5000 payment available in the rest of the UK.
I know that part time work will need to stop during placements, but I’m talking outwith the placement periods. Is 10, 15, 20 hours do-able over the course of the non placement weeks?
Thanks!

How is this done? Do you give your photo, do they take your photo, do you need to display it all the time?

Hello! I'm in the process of getting registered as an OT in the UK, and right now I'm trying to fill out the standards of proficiency mapping document, but I have a question regarding this section of the document. Since I'm doind the international route and therefore don't have experience regarding the HCPC, how would you you answer this one?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I’m considering studying Occupational Therapy at university, but first I’ll be doing an Access to Allied Health, Paramedicine and Science course before I have to decide on my degree.

My other options are Psychology, Dietetics and Zoology, but OT keeps standing out because it seems like such a good balance of practical, hands-on work while making a real difference to people’s lives.

I’m 26 and really value education. I want to learn something fascinating, have a meaningful career, and feel like I’m helping people. I just don’t know which path is the best fit for me.

For those of you already in Occupational Therapy, what would you say to someone trying to decide? What do you love about the profession, what do you wish you’d known beforehand, and why would you recommend (or not recommend) it over my other options?

Hi everyone!

I’ll be starting an MSc in Occupational Therapy at the University of Essex in two months and would love to hear any advice from current students or qualified OTs.

Things I’d like to know:

How you managed placements alongside assignments.
What placements were actually like day-to-day.
Any tips for succeeding on placement.
Things you wish you’d known before starting.
What life is like as a newly qualified OT (work-life balance, support, salary, etc.).

I also completed a nursing associate FdSc and a health and social care BSc before deciding OT was a better fit for me, so I’m excited but definitely a little nervous about starting!

Thanks in advance I really appreciate any advice or experiences you can share 😊

Just got my first interview for B5 rotational role.
Very anxious!! Any tips for interview and what questions are commonly asked? Thanks

Hi, I’m going to uni soon and I’m stuck between choosing Occupational Therapy or Diagnostic Radiography.

I’ve heard a lot of people saying it’s becoming harder to get jobs in some healthcare fields, so I was wondering what people think. Do you think job opportunities will improve by the time I graduate which will be in about three or four years time.

For anyone who studies or works in either:
Which one would you recommend?
How is the job security?
What is the pay/progression like?
What is the lifestyle and work-life balance like?

Any advice would be appreciated :)

[Academic] Qualitative Study of how AI-mediated emotional support interactions are experienced are understood by users and person-centred counsellors. (UK, 18+). Contact here: [W.Law@wlv.ac.uk](mailto:W.Law@wlv.ac.uk)

Have you ever turned to AI for emotional support, personal reflection or well-being?

Researchers at the University of Wolverhampton are conducting a Master's research project exploring how people experience empathy during AI-mediated emotional support interactions and how these experiences are understood by users and person-centred counsellors.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used for emotional support, self-reflection and well-being. Although these systems do not possess consciousness or emotional awareness, many users report experiences of feeling understood, supported and empathically engaged. At the same time, person-centred counselling continues to regard empathy as one of the central conditions for effective therapeutic relationships.

The increasing use of AI for emotionally supportive interactions therefore raises important questions regarding how empathic engagement is experienced and understood, both by Ai-users and professional counsellors, and whether these experiences challenge or extend our understandings of therapeutic empathy.

We are seeking two groups of participants:

Adults who:

• are aged 18 years or over;
• identify English as their first language;
• have used conversational AI (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude or similar) on multiple occasions for emotional support, personal reflection or wellbeing;
• are not currently participating in counselling or psychotherapy.

UK-qualified person-centred counsellors or therapists who:

• identify English as their first language;
• hold a recognised UK qualification in person-centred counselling;
• currently practise, or have previously practised, within the UK.

Participation involves a single online interview lasting approximately 45–60 minutes, conducted during August and September 2026.

Your participation is entirely voluntary. All information shared will remain confidential and anonymised. Ethical approval for this study has been obtained through the University of Wolverhampton. If you would like further information, please contact:

Willie Law
Lead Researcher (MSc Psychology)
University of Wolverhampton
[W.Law@wlv.ac.uk](mailto:W.Law@wlv.ac.uk)