Mrs Tanya Van Schoor

I am a trained and qualified Occupational Therapist from abroad. Before I moved to the UK, I worked in a rotational role there where I was exposed to various fields of Occupational Therapy, including mental health, neurological, musculoskeletal, and paediatric rehabilitation. I was involved with various community-based rehabilitation projects through work and volunteering, supporting and empowering the under-resourced community.

After I moved to the UK, I worked as a specialist stroke therapist within an acute stroke unit where I further developed my passion and interest in neurology whilst learning and understanding the healthcare system in the UK. I later went on to work as a senior assessment officer for the equipment and adaptations service in a local authority where I built upon my knowledge of community therapy, home environment assessments and specialist equipment provision. Within this role, I was aligned more to the children's service for more specialist complex case assessment and intervention. I also offered bespoke training to assessment officers in my service to improve quality and efficiency of service delivery.

I then became involved with a local university to support their Occupational Therapy programme, teaching and supporting as a sessional lecturer. I offered my clinical expertise in topics such as moving and handling, specialist seating and communication.

I started working for Canterbury Christ Church University as a Clinical Academic Fellow in Occupational Therapy at the end of November 2022. My role involves teaching across the undergraduate and apprenticeship courses in Occupational Therapy, as well as pursuing a clinical academic career, bridging practice, education, and research. I am currently a module lead for four modules, acting recruitment lead and am also a personal academic cohort tutor.

I have recently been awarded Associate Fellowship with Advance HE, and am continuing to pursue my Fellowship status by way of the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. I am a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council and member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

I look forward to what my career with CCCU holds, teaching and learning with students, contributing to research bodies that inform our everyday practice.