Key Skills for Housing Adaptations

Ruth Parker has worked as an occupational therapist in social care since 2001 moving to the Children with Disabilities team in 2005. Reflecting her interest in the built environment and adaptations she completed an MSc in Accessibility and Inclusive Design which led to a PhD investigating the impact of choice and compromise on the design of children's play parks. She is currently a member of the RCOT Specialist Section - Housing. She has completed research with Elizabeth Cooper on the long-term effectiveness of recommendations for adaptations made by occupational therapists in Lincolnshire and co-edited The Essential Guide for Newly Qualified Occupational Therapists with Julia Badger. David Owen is the current Chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section Housing, holding this position since summer 2021. David graduated from the University of Cardiff in 2010. David has a background working in adult social care in both England and Wales, for the past six years specialising in housing. David has recently left his position lecturing at the University of South Wales on the part-time occupational therapy degree returning to his preferred area of practice as Senior Practitioner in Housing for South Gloucestershire Council. Julia Badger Since graduating as an occupational therapist Julia has worked across a number of sectors with experience in adult and children's social care, the NHS and in an integrated community equipment service. Currently Julia is working in the NHS on a specialist Stroke Unit. With Ruth Parker, Julia co-edited The Essential Guide for Newly Qualified Occupational Therapists.