The project outline was developed collaboratively by the Department of Occupational Therapy and the Centre for Career and Personal Development at Canterbury Christ Church University and presented to the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Workforce Development Confederation and the North East London Workforce Development Confederation (formerly the Kent Education Consortium and the Outer London Education Consortium respectively) for funding.
As an outcome two projects were commissioned. The project contained in this report was funded by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Workforce Development Confederation and focuses on the following groups currently under-represented in occupational therapy, radiography and clinical psychology:
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People from ethnic minority groups
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People with disabilities
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People from socially disadvantaged backgrounds
Issues related to gender and age were also considered.
This project aims to identify and investigate the issues that may impact on the selection, recruitment and accommodation of students from these groups to occupational therapy, radiography and clinical psychology.
The project team was comprised of Canterbury Christ Church University staff from the Departments of Occupational Therapy and Radiography and the Centre for Career and Personal Development. An advisory group was formed, with representation from the professions, students, University central staff involved in student recruitment, support and progression and the Confederations. Whilst an effort was made to have representation from community groups, the Commission for Equal Opportunities and some of the professional bodies, this was not achieved. However, a number of those approached did request minutes of the meetings and a copy of this report. Where existing projects being undertaken at the University were relevant, networking with those involved was undertaken.
Whilst the project focused on the policies and practices of this particular higher education institution and the fieldwork was undertaken in the funding Confederations' catchment areas, there is much contained within this report that other colleges and Workforce Development Confederations may consider when developing their own policy and practice in relation to diversity. We anticipate that at a national level, the findings and recommendations will also inform and influence the promotion of diversity by the Department of Health and professional bodies.