Occupational Therapy Apprentice Review
at Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust
Degree Apprenticeship
Healthcare
Bristol
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I am in my second year of my OT Apprenticeship, my role involves working with adults in the community, providing occupational therapy and some forms of physiotherapy where applicable.
I visit patients at home and many of my patients are frequent fallers.
I visit patients at home and many of my patients are frequent fallers.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy my programme. I am distance learning - completing most of my lectures online and my lecturers do their best to keep it interesting and engaging. I really enjoy the Flying Faculty sessions where we get together with the rest of our cohort students in person, and undertake practical learning and skills.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes - I have developed my existing skills with caring for patients in terms of OT and falls. I have developed new skills so far, including learning how to assist with completing Postural Management Assessments, providing specialist equipment and adaptions and have gained basic knowledge on splinting via my course.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
It is well structured - I am 2 days per week university distance learning online and we normally get given free study time on a Friday afternoon for tasks or consolidation of our learning, which I feel works very well.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The support I received from my employer in Yr 1 of my Apprenticeship was not the best, however I highlighted this and since then it has been much better and it is working very well and I am getting lots of support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider is providing support where I need it and have been very good at this. I have a course coordinator, who is my link between work and university and who supports me and reviews my progress every 3 months and she has been excellent. My university lecturers have also been incredibly supportive the last year or so, as I have had a few personal issues - including having to take time out to have surgery and supporting my husband recently since breaking his ankle, the university have been extremely supportive of this for me.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Very well, I am already gaining more knowledge and building my confidence with my practical skills, and I have had feedback from my clinical managers in my job role that they can tell my confidence and skills are improving.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes, we are a very social team and often have social get togethers outside of work. We have a shared whatts app group for communicating with each other outside of work.
I do not always get involved as I do not live locally in Southampton, I am a little further away and so sometimes this is challenging for me in terms of social events, however I try and get involved as much as possible.
I do not always get involved as I do not live locally in Southampton, I am a little further away and so sometimes this is challenging for me in terms of social events, however I try and get involved as much as possible.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have so far had a very good experience and am enjoying my apprenticeship. I have also made some very good friends for life from my course.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust?
Do it.
