Enabling Children’s Occupational Participation: Fundamentals and Future Directions

Cost: £950 (5 days)

Presented By: 

Dr Carolyn Dunford, Reader in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University London and Fellow of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (FRCOT) 

Dr Benita Powrie,  Occupational Therapist and full-time lecturer at the Australian Catholic University, Brisbane Australia

Course Description:

Fundamentals and future directions is a 5-day live course for occupational therapists working with children, young people and their families 0-25 years of age.

Aimed at those new to working with children and young people and ready to build a strong foundation, or an experienced professional looking to reflect and refresh, this course will enhance your professional reasoning and equip you to apply evidence-based, strengths-focused approaches with confidence.

Exploring the latest evidence, theory, and thinking on enabling occupational participation with children and young people this training has been designed to enhance your practice through building your expertise and deepening your impact.

Maintaining a lens that’s person- and family-centred, and grounded in real-world outcomes, each day will offer a deep dive into cutting-edge evidence using occupational frameworks and the lived experiences of children, young people, and families.

About the presenters

Dr Carolyn Dunford PhD Dr Carolyn Dunford is Reader in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University London FRCOT and Fellow of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Carolyn is passionate about combining research and teaching with promoting evidence informed, effective clinical practice. Carolyn is the founder of the community of practice known as "Mind the gap: evidence based practice". She was previously Head of Therapy and Research at the Children’s Trust, Tadworth where she combined academic research and clinical skills to deliver evidence-based interventions for children and young people with acquired brain injury. She worked for three years as a senior lecturer at York St. John University teaching under graduate and post graduate students. She has worked with children for over 18 years, mostly in Gwent in south Wales and also in Leeds. She has worked as a clinical specialist and researcher for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). She has a Masters in Community Child Health and a PhD in “Outcomes and Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)”. Her published work to date has included projects on outcome measures, combining rehabilitation and palliative care, pain management, children with developmental coordination disorder and UK waiting lists. Carolyn has presented her work at local, national and international meetings, workshops and conferences.

Dr Benita Powrie PhD Benita is a dynamic children's occupational therapist and senior lecturer at Australian Catholic University. She brings a fresh, engaging approach to teaching practice-focused units on working with children and families, while mentoring Honours students through their research journeys. With extensive experience designing, delivering, and managing services for children across Australia, Romania, and the UK, Benita champions evidence-based approaches to children's occupational therapy. As an active member of the 'Mind the Gap' community, she is committed to bridging the gap between research and real-world practice. Her PhD explored the meaning of leisure for children and young people with disabilities, and she continues to advocate for play and leisure as essential occupations for children everywhere.