Inspirational Story
Katie Whitworth
What area did you think you’d work in when you were at school?
I always thought I wanted to work within the legal sector, whether that be as a lawyer/probation officer/research in crime. I had previously volunteered with Victim Support to get some experience in the field.
What did you study after school?
In terms of studying, my undergraduate degree was Criminology with Sociology. Unfortunately at the time I wasn’t able to get a job in any fields I was particularly interested in and instead gained a role working in a care home, ultimately as a means of income.
Whilst working at the care home, I noticed my style of working with the residents was trying to support them to be as independent as possible (even if it meant things taking a lot longer and staff getting frustrated with me). Over time I became frustrated that others didn’t have the same approach, and staff would often have a ‘do to’ approach, e.g. get people ready, rather than supporting them to do as much as they could for themselves.
How did you find out about Occupational Therapy?
It was my mum who told me about OT (she used to be an OT) and told me to look into it.
After doing some readying, I then shadowed two Occupational Therapists, gaining insight into both mental health and physical health settings. I became interested in the idea of Forensic OT as I thought it was a good link with my interest in crime and my approach of enabling others.
I then found out that Leeds Beckett did an MSc in OT and was successful in getting a place on the course.
Whilst working at the care home, I noticed my style of working with the residents was trying to support them to be as independent as possible
What has been your experience since qualifying as an Occupational Therapist?
Following graduation and moving onto my career, I have always worked in Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust: I started off on the Mental Health rotation; I initially worked in open rehabilitation, then moved to the inpatient eating disorder ward.
Whilst I was on the eating disorder ward as a Band 5, there became a secondment opportunity, to then apply for the Band 6 position on the same ward. This secondment then became an opportunity to get a permanent contract, in which I was successful. I stayed on the eating disorder ward for around 5 years.
From there I remained in the service, but moved to the community team for a promotion (Band 7) which is my current job – ‘Highly Specialist Eating Disorder Practitioner’ in CONNECT (although I don’t use the official title…. Sounds a bit extra for me haha). This role is much more generic, so not working directly as an OT, but I don’t remove my OT way of thinking. I work closely with Paul (AHP Lead and Occupational Therapist) e.g. currently exploring the need for Sensory Integration within the service (OTs can train in this specialist skillset and area of practice) – very early days though and nothing confirmed.
In addition to me role, I am Neurodiversity Lead – so again, thinking about the individual as a whole/holistically, which is very much at the ethos of OT.
