Study's full title: The role of occupational therapists in mainstream secondary schools

University Affiliation: La Trobe University

Ethics Approval/Reference Number: HEC25135

Principal Researcher: Professor Carol McKinstry

Supervisor(s): Professor Carol McKinstry and Dr Jo Spong

Co-authored by: Rebecca Blake

Purpose of study: The study is about exploring the roles of occupational therapists who are directly-employed (school-employed) within mainstream secondary schools. We hope to learn about how school-employed occupational therapists working in mainstream secondary schools perceive their roles in this emerging area of practice and what are the enablers and barriers of undertaking the role to reach its fullest potential.

Participation Details: Occupational therapists from Australia, UK, USA, New Zealand and Canada who are currently school-employed in a mainstream secondary school occupational therapy position of any FTE are invited to participate. Participants also need to be able to understand, and write in, English.

When considering your eligibility to participate in this study, please carefully read the following definitions:

“Mainstream secondary schools”

• describe schools that are designed to educate post primary school students (that is, Year 7 to 12 / Form 1-6, typically aged 12-18).

• typically apply principles of inclusive education to ensure universal access to education, however they are NOT:

  • specialist education settings (e.g. special development schools, specialist schools, autism schools);
  • schools designed specifically to deliver to students with “special needs” or disabilities;
  • alternative education schools designed specifically for cohorts of students for whom barriers to participation in mainstream settings are, for whatever reason, insurmountable (e.g. Flexible Learning Option (FLO] schools, Indie School/College, etc.).

“school-employed occupational therapist”

• What it is:

  • To be employed in this position you must be a qualified, registered occupational therapist

  • Be a member of the school’s staff

  • Be employed at any FTE (Full Time Equivalent employment)

• What it is NOT:

  • External consultant coming into the school to deliver services

  • A position for which professionals other than occupational therapists could be employed (e.g. specialist mental health practitioner, school counsellor, etc.).

Survey Link: https://latrobe.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=9AepNXLOoMUECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D

Contact Details: Professor Carol McKinstry c.mckinstry@latrobe.edu.au

End date for survey: The survey will be open for approximately 4-5 months.