New Graduate Groups

Group activities and contacts2011-2012

Guidance Notes

• The notes forthwith are a reference tool to support the effective development of your new graduate group

• Use these notes as you wish, to help support discussions, generate ideas and engage those who are attending for the first time or the 20th time

• BAOT new graduate groups are a key resource to share your experiences and learn and develop your knowledge and skills as a practicing OT

• Use these groups as your free CPD. Reflect on the contacts you make and how you can use them to further your career goals. Identify the transferable skills of building rapport, leadership, time management-even money management!

• Lastly, this is not an exhaustive list nor a prescription on how to develop your network. Enjoy and be open to meeting new people and learning from their experiences

BAOT Resources

• Check the BAOT website for the latest news stories• Use the BAOT library or download the latest hOT topic on

contemporary practice; for resources that can help you visit http://www.cot.co.uk/cot-library/cot-library

• Bring in the latest Otnews, look at an article to review and discuss

• Use the BAOT Facebook page or contact the COT Social Media Officer (andrew.brown@cot.co.uk) to set up a Facebook page for your BAOT New Graduate group for your BAOT region. Use this to invite and advertise your networking event, post an agenda/topics to be discussed, or a key speaker who will be attending-this may be yourself!

Regional groups and Colleagues• Invite a member of your regional group to the networking

evening to link with the activities of the region and hear about the experiences and advice that regional members can share relevant to your local practice area

• Invite a regional speaker from your University; a tutor or expert currently researching best practice

• Plan topics ahead of time; approach an OT or member of the multi-disciplinary health team to come and share with the group their work, experiences and tips for developing their career

HPC Standards for CPD

• Check the HPC website for information• http://www.hpc-uk.org/registrants/cpd/standards/• Develop your portfolio using the attached reflective

log after each networking session• Bring in your portfolios for advice and comparison• Visit COT’s website www.cot.org.uk for more CPD

ideas, for example on joining Specialist Sections or Regional Groups and for CPD tools and resources on the iLOD (interactive learning opportunites database)

COT Specialist Sections

• Research a specialist section of your interest• Share with the group contact details, event

info or ways to network with professionals who are members of a specialist section and have expert knowledge

• Invite a member from a specialist section to join the group to learn more about what the specialist section does, opportunities to join their structures and benefits of membership

COT Mentorship Scheme

• Join the scheme or find out more on how you can access the support and career development advice of a mentor http://www.cot.co.uk/cpd/mentorship-scheme

Get involved with regional opportunities

• There are a wealth of opportunities for you on BAOT committees, boards and local groups. See the website for more information and regular announcements in OTnews

• Join the BAOT New Graduate e-bulletin for monthly updates on resources and information relevant to your career development by contacting olivia.lokko@cot.co.uk

Contacts at COT• Contact any of the officers at COT for help and

advice. Key contacts are:• Beriah Nelson, Senior Membership Development Officer:– Tel: 020 7450 5474 email: beriah.nelson@cot.co.uk

• Louise Cusack, Specialist Sections Manager:– Tel: 01767 313 266 email: louise.cusack@cot.co.uk

• Fiona Fraser, Education Manager-Student Services– Tel: 0207 450 2351 email: fiona.fraser@cot.co.uk

Reflective log: questions to guide reflection

What was the nature of the experience or event? Explain the

subject.

Select the part of the event that was

significant and/ or important to you.

What aspect of the event went well?

What was not so good?What were my feelings about what happened?

What were my desired learning

outcomes?What have I learnt

from the experience?

What do I need to do next? How can I put

my learning into practice in another

situation?

Ideas for CPD activity

• The following list should give you an idea of the kinds of activity that might make up your continuing professional development.

• Visit COT’s website www.cot.org.uk for more CPD ideas, for example on joining Specialist Sections or Regional Groups and for CPD tools and resources on the iLOD (interactive learning opportunites database)

Work based learning

Professional Activity

Formal / educational

Self-directed learning

Other

• Learning by doing • Case studies • Reflective practice • Clinical audit • Coaching from others • Discussions with colleagues • Peer review • Involvement in wider work of employer (for example, being a representative on a committee) • Work shadowing • Secondments • Job rotation • Journal club • In-service training • Supervising staff or students • Visiting other departments and reporting back • Expanding your role • Analysing significant events • Filling in self-assessment questionnaires • Project work or project management • Evidence of learning activities undertaken as part of your progression on the Knowledge and Skills Framework or your Personal development Plan

• Membership of and involvement in a professional body • Membership of a specialist interest group • Lecturing or teaching • Mentoring • Being an examiner • Being a tutor • Branch meetings • Organising journal clubs or other specialist groups • Maintaining or developing specialist skills (for example, management or assessment skills) • Being an expert witness • Membership of other professional bodies or groups • Giving presentations at conferences • Organising accredited courses • Supervising research • Being a national assessor • Being promoted

• Membership of and involvement in a professional body • Membership of a specialist interest group • Lecturing or teaching • Mentoring • Being an examiner • Being a tutor • Branch meetings • Organising journal clubs or other specialist groups • Maintaining or developing specialist skills (for example, management or assessment skills) • Being an expert witness • Membership of other professional bodies or groups • Giving presentations at conferences • Organising accredited courses • Supervising research • Being a national assessor • Being promoted

Reading journals/articles • Reviewing books or articles • Updating knowledge through the internet or TV • Keeping a file of your progress

• Public service • Voluntary work • Courses