Considering OT career change

[InTheFamilyTree]

Hi all,

Any OTs out there? I'm thinking about training as an OT but concerned that it would be hard to get childcare to fit around placements. I have 3 young kids and cost of FT nursery would be astronomical until youngest gets free hours.

I have a lot of work experience in health and social care, mostly in the community, and a bit in schools. My dream would be to specialise in pediatric OT. How likely is it that I could do a pediatric placement whilst training, or specialise soon after qualifying?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Souperspooker]

Where I live, rural sw, paediatric placements are like gold dust - that said you don't need to have a specific type of placement to apply for it get particular socialist jobs. The core skills in occupation are transferable and you're expected to carry in learning through out your career and especially in the first few years following qualification.
I had 3 placements in various types of elderly care but did get offered a paediatric job, (and also in forensic menlth health !) loved paeds but it was a short contract only, ended up in neuro/ learning disabilities/ complex needs for several years then private practice for a bit. Mid career break atm and keen to get back into either paeds/ women's health.
It's so varied and you really can chop and change.
Excellent career choice. Imho all OTs are lovely, the main requirement is to be really really interested in people and what they do and why they do it!
Good luck

[Souperspooker]

Btw a private nanny may work out cheaper for three kids.
I did have friends who managed it with small kids pre school age, one was top of the class. The uni will take your child care needs into account when selecting placement locations - but expect these the be full time 9-5 wherever they are.
There a couple of courses do part time which you could do for the first year then switch to full time.
Some people did a health and social care access course in the year before starting, this isn't full time I don't think and it really helped them be more efficient etc. Tbh I had good a levels etc but was mature student and I kinda wished I had done one as it wouldn't have been such a steep learning curve.
You could start with that maybe while kids are little?

[ThreeKneeRepeater]

I’m also in the SW, and as PP stated, paediatric placements are like gold dust. However, they do exist, and it doesn’t hurt to ask.
But rest assured that your training will equip you with fully transferable skills. I changed specialities a few times in my career, even at fairly senior level. Beware of pigeonholing yourself too early as there are so many interesting opportunities that you may not even be aware of yet. Occupational therapy is such a versatile and constantly changing profession. There are several ways to train now I believe, particularly if you are already working in H and S Care as an OT assistant. Explore all avenues.
Best of luck.