CPD RESOURCE
Occupational therapy CPD examples: three ways to structure clearer CPD reflections
These fictional occupational therapy CPD examples show how learning from hand therapy, community practice and mental health settings can become clearer CPD records and CPD reflection entries for HCPC registrants. Use them to understand structure, evidence, impact on practice and next steps, then adapt your own records to your role, scope and learning.
Do not copy these examples into your own CPD submission. UK occupational therapists must meet HCPC CPD requirements; for general expectations and record preparation, see our HCPC CPD guide. HandyCPD supports structure and reflection drafting; you remain responsible for reviewing, editing and approving every record before relying on it or filing it with your own evidence.
Resources support CPD learning and organisation. You review and approve every record.
How to use these examples
Each example follows the same HandyCPD workflow (Plant Seed, log card, reflection, draft and optional PDF export), but the screenshots match a specific occupational therapy scenario. Do not copy text into your own CPD submission. Use the examples to see how learning can be linked to occupation, participation, environments and scope-aware practice change.
For broader reflection writing, see how to write a CPD reflection, the Gibbs reflective cycle guide and the Rolfe reflection model guide. You may also find our physiotherapy CPD examples useful for a parallel HCPC-registrant walkthrough. Explore all guides on the resources hub.
What makes a good occupational therapy CPD example?
A strong occupational therapy CPD example usually shows more than attendance. It explains what learning took place, why it mattered to your role, setting or scope, and what changed in your thinking or practice.
- What learning took place and why it was relevant to your occupational therapy role or scope.
- How your reasoning, communication or practice changed as a result.
- How it may benefit service users where relevant.
- What evidence could support the record.
- What next steps follow from the learning.
Different activities need different levels of detail. Check current HCPC CPD guidance where relevant before submitting records or evidence.
Occupational therapy CPD template: what to include
This is not an official HCPC or RCOT template. It is a simple planning structure to help you think through what an occupational therapy CPD record might include before you write and review your own version. Check current professional guidance before submitting CPD records or evidence.
- Activity title and date
- Type of CPD activity
- Role, setting or scope relevance
- What you learned
- Reflection on impact
- Evidence or portfolio notes
- Next steps
A structured CPD log card can help capture the activity details before you build your reflection. If you use HandyCPD, supporting evidence can be kept alongside the CPD record in the Evidence Library.
RCOT CPD portfolio and reflective practice
Some occupational therapists search for RCOT CPD portfolio support when they are trying to organise learning, reflection and evidence in one place. HandyCPD is not affiliated with RCOT or HCPC, and official guidance should remain your source of truth.
RCOT CPD portfolio language can be useful when thinking about how learning, reflection and evidence fit together, but it does not replace RCOT guidance, HCPC requirements, official processes or your professional judgement. HandyCPD can help you organise CPD records, reflections, evidence and PDF exports that you review and approve.
If you use RCOT professional development resources, such as the Career Development Framework, treat them as official reference material and use HandyCPD only to organise your own records, reflections and evidence.
Compare the three occupational therapy CPD examples
The table below compares the three fictional examples so you can see how different occupational therapy learning activities can become CPD records, reflections and portfolio evidence.
| Example | CPD type | Reflection focus | Evidence ideas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand therapy scar management | Formal educational learning (BAHT webinar) | Scar management linked to occupation, function and therapeutic reasoning | Webinar certificate, anonymised notes, reflective summary |
| Community moving and handling | Work-based learning | Home risk assessment, equipment choices, carer communication | Session handouts, certificate, supervision notes, action plan |
| Sensory approaches (mental health) | Online formal learning | Sensory modulation, trauma-informed care, participation in routines | Course certificate, anonymised learning notes, reflective summary |
Example 1: Hand therapy occupational therapist (scar management)
Scenario
An occupational therapist working in hand therapy updates their knowledge of scar assessment, silicone gel application, desensitisation strategies and supporting service user adherence after hand trauma or surgery.
CPD activity
- Two-hour BAHT webinar on advances in scar management for hand therapy.
- Updated scar assessment protocols, evidence for silicone gel, massage and desensitisation.
- Methods to improve service user understanding and adherence to home programmes.
Reflection focus
- Linking evidence-informed scar management to assessment and treatment planning.
- Occupation, function and meaningful activity after hand injury.
- Service user education and home programme adherence.
- Therapeutic reasoning when choosing interventions.
- Scope-aware practice within hand therapy settings.
What the CPD record should show
- What you learned about scar assessment and intervention choices.
- How your approach to desensitisation or service user education may change.
- How this may support function, independence and participation in daily roles.
- Concrete next steps: for example, adapting home programmes or discussing complex cases with colleagues.
How this CPD activity looks in HandyCPD
Brief seed notes become a structured log card with tags such as formal educational learning and hand therapy. The Reflection Engine then helps scaffold a Rolfe-style draft you edit and approve, linking scar management learning to occupation and function, not just technique lists.
Walkthrough in HandyCPD
Step 1: Plant a Seed
Step 2: Review your CPD log card
Step 3: Build your reflection
Step 4: Review your reflection draft
Step 5: Create or export a PDF for your records
View the hand therapy scar management example PDF: fictional sample for learning only. Review and adapt before using anything in your own portfolio.
Example 2: Community occupational therapist (safer moving and handling at home)
Scenario
A community occupational therapist completes moving and handling CPD to improve confidence with complex home assessments, equipment recommendations, carer wellbeing and clear communication about risk in people’s own environments.
CPD activity
- Half-day moving and handling update focused on complex community situations.
- Risk assessment, hoist and sling selection, bed and chair transfers.
- Single-handed care considerations, documentation and communicating risk with service users, families and care providers.
Reflection focus
- Risk assessment and risk enablement in varied home environments.
- Equipment choices that support independence and safe participation.
- Carer wellbeing and family communication.
- Documentation that reflects assessment and agreed plans.
- Therapeutic reasoning when standard protocols do not fit the environment.
What the CPD record should show
- What changed in your approach to community moving and handling assessment.
- How you will adapt equipment recommendations or communication with carers.
- How learning may support safer participation at home.
- Next steps for applying the update in practice and seeking supervision where needed.
How this CPD activity looks in HandyCPD
Session notes expand into a work-based learning log card with tags for moving and handling, risk assessment and transfers. Guided reflection insight cards help you articulate impact on home assessments and communication, without copying generic training prose.
Walkthrough in HandyCPD
Step 1: Plant a Seed
Step 2: Review your CPD log card
Step 3: Build your reflection
Step 4: Review your reflection draft
Step 5: Create or export a PDF for your records
View the community moving and handling example PDF: fictional sample for learning only. Review and adapt before using anything in your own portfolio.
Example 3: Mental health occupational therapist (sensory approaches and emotional regulation)
Scenario
A mental health occupational therapist develops their use of sensory approaches to support emotional regulation and participation in meaningful daily routines, roles and occupations.
CPD activity
- Online training on sensory modulation and emotional regulation in mental health OT practice.
- Sensory preferences, grounding strategies, sensory assessment tools and trauma-informed approaches.
- Linking sensory regulation to daily routines, roles and participation.
Reflection focus
- Sensory modulation and emotional regulation in therapeutic reasoning.
- Trauma-informed communication and safe practice.
- Supporting participation in meaningful activity and routines.
- Scope-aware use of sensory assessment tools.
- Confidentiality and avoiding unnecessary identifiable detail in records.
What the CPD record should show
- How the training shifted your understanding of sensory approaches in mental health practice.
- Changes you intend to make to assessment or intervention planning.
- How learning may support service users’ participation and emotional regulation.
- Next steps for embedding learning within your scope and local governance.
How this CPD activity looks in HandyCPD
Online training notes become a tagged log card under formal educational CPD. Reflection drafting helps connect sensory learning to participation in roles and routines, always anonymised and reviewed by you before saving or exporting.
Walkthrough in HandyCPD
Step 1: Plant a Seed
Step 2: Review your CPD log card
Step 3: Build your reflection
Step 4: Review your reflection draft
Step 5: Create or export a PDF for your records
View the mental health sensory approaches example PDF: fictional sample for learning only. Review and adapt before using anything in your own portfolio.
Occupational therapy CPD examples FAQ
Can I copy these occupational therapy CPD examples?
No. They are fictional examples for learning support only. Use them to understand structure, then write your own CPD record based on your role, scope, learning, evidence and professional judgement.
Do occupational therapists need CPD for HCPC?
UK occupational therapists are HCPC registrants and must meet HCPC CPD requirements. For general expectations and how to prepare records, see our HCPC CPD guide and the official HCPC resources linked below.
What should an occupational therapy CPD reflection include?
It should explain what you learned, why it mattered to your role or setting, how your thinking or practice changed, how it may benefit service users where relevant, and what you will do next. For broader reflection writing guidance, see how to write a CPD reflection.
Can HandyCPD help with an RCOT CPD portfolio?
HandyCPD can help organise CPD records, reflections, evidence and PDF exports in a portfolio-style workflow. It is not affiliated with RCOT and does not replace RCOT guidance, HCPC requirements or your professional judgement.
Are these examples official HCPC or RCOT templates?
No. They are educational examples, not official templates or guaranteed submission wording. Check current HCPC and RCOT guidance, adapt records to your own practice and avoid identifiable or confidential information.
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