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The purpose of this paper is to examine a model of effective forensic practice with positive interventions for men with learning disabilities who have committed serious sexual offences. It outlines the theoretical and philosophical frameworks which have informed the model of care and support in a community-based setting and the evidence base for the efficacy of the approach.

This approach to a community-based forensic learning disability service is informed by systemic practice and underpinned by models of human occupation (Keilhofner, 2008) which informs occupational therapy and total attachment (Harbottle et al., 2014). This is a whole systems model for developing compassionate and participatory practice based on attachment theory and approaches to professional parenting drawn from foster care settings and prevention frameworks for adult safeguarding. It uses Klinean Thinking Environments (1999) to give practical communication to the model.

The attachment model which underpins both the support for staff and the framework for scaffolding the care and support provided for service users is building calm, consistent and respectful relationships. This enables workers and service users to feel accepted through the availability of support; to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion in which skills and confidence can flourish helping all to feel more effective. This is evidenced by the stability of the service user group and the staff team.

The model of whole system care and support care outlined in this paper can help to provide a therapeutic environment in which men who have committed sexual offences can develop effective skills within a safe, supportive and effectively managed setting. This is on-going research but there is evidence of service users and staff in this model of practice, feeling scaffolded, able to enjoy and achieve progress and personal development.

This model appears to promote stable, sustained, supportive relationships. Placement breakdown has been minimal indicating that the disruption rate is low and therefore therapeutic interventions are likely to take place and be effective. This is a hopeful and positive approach which enables individuals to flourish in a safe environment.

The social implications of this model are positive for creating a stable workforce in an industry plagued with rapid turn over of staff to the detriment of the quality of life for service users. It creates stability and confidence for the residents allowing them to begin to relax and thereafter achieve more positive relationships.

This paper examines the application of theoretical frameworks drawn from other disciplines and fuses them into a therapeutic approach to support this service user group. It is a model that can have great portability to other settings but it is its application in forensic services that is new and which is growing its evidence base for its effectiveness.

In 2002 there were 19.8 million people in the United Kingdom over the age of 50 and it is estimated that by 2031 there will be close to 27 million (UK National Statistics Office, 2005). Predictions about the older population changes in the next twenty years indicate that although overall growth will be low, the numbers of ‘young old’ (65‐74) and ‘middle old’ (75‐84) remaining stable until 2011, the ‘old old’ (85+) will show a substantial increase (Grundy, 2004).Bowling et al (2002) stressed the importance of maintaining independence and control over one's life with ageing. This, together with having social roles and participating in social and voluntary activities/hobbies to include those performed alone, contributes to the foundation of good quality of life in old age. New European policies for older adults focus on the provision of equal opportunities, health promotion and stress their involvement in decision‐making (Fletcher, 2000). The increase in the ageing population is evident in the corresponding rise in the growth of nursing and residential homes, sheltered accommodation and home care support and it is anticipated that greater provision will be needed (Wittenberg et al, 1998), particularly if the aspirations of European policy are to be realised. However, some studies (eg, Sheppard, 2003) have documented the paucity of rehabilitation in residential and nursing homes and highlighted the disempowerment experienced by residents. The process of transition in the later stages of the life span from full independence in a familiar home environment to one of total care while providing security may engender feelings of helplessness with a decrease in psychological well‐being.This article outlines and discusses the findings of a study using narratives with older adults, undertaken to explore such effects of life changes, including transition, on their self‐concept.

The purpose of this paper is to establish the value placed on the facets that contribute to a meaningful leisure occupation for the residents of a residential care facility by the staff that care for them.

This was a service evaluation using a self-reported questionnaire, completed by six Activity Co-ordinators from the home of 158 individuals with a wide range of neuropalliative conditions.

The cultural/historical components, the built and social environment, learning, life satisfaction and goal orientation were reported as the least valued facets, which make up a leisure occupation. The staff did, however; value the sense of health and capability, purpose, the feeling of being fully human and the sense of belonging that comes about through leisure. They also valued preventing boredom, opportunities for self-expression, creativity, achievement, and control. Additionally they valued opportunities to gain a clear sense of the rhythm of life, of self-identity, choice of occupation, and engagement in the occupation.

The findings highlight a variance between the perceptions of staff members who deal with the day-to-day leisure opportunities and decisions of the residents, and the literature of occupational science about what makes an occupation meaningful, and therefore is worthy of consideration when planning a leisure occupation.

Personalised care requires consideration of the individual's cultural and historical background, the environment surrounding the occupation, opportunities for social interaction, individual learning, life satisfaction, and goal orientation when organising leisure opportunities. These facets are stressed because the participants undervalued them.

The context of this paper is a subset of individuals with neurological disabilities who experience profound disabilities, and the attitudes of staff to their leisure lifestyle.

There has been an increase in swimming in natural bodies of water as reported in personal qualitative accounts. However, limited academic research has explored the meaning of this occupation. Engaging with nature, exercising and being part of a community contribute to better mental and physical health. The purpose of this research was to explore the meaning that adults attribute to open-water swimming in natural bodies of water.

This study used phenomenological interviews to explore the meaning that five adults attribute to open-water swimming.

Open-water swimming contributes to meaning-making in many ways. Participants reported swimming as necessary for maintaining mental and emotional well-being and forming meaningful connections with the social environment, nature and their true selves.

This study contributes to the understanding of the meaning of open-water swimming for adults in Ireland. Understanding the meaning of this occupation may add to the body of evidence exploring blue-space to promote health.

Open-water swimming is an occupation growing in popularity. This is the first paper to explore open-water swimming from an occupational perspective. This may provide an alternative perspective for viewing blue-space engagement and understanding the relationship between health, blue-space occupations and our oceans.

This article, based on a presentation given at the First National Personality Disorder Congress, provides a brief descriptive overview of the occupation‐based intervention group programme, the Journey day service, with contributions from a former group member, Rachel, of her experience of participating in and completing the programme.

Play occupation has been identified as an essential part of children’s lives, and it subsequently features in paediatric occupational therapy. However, few studies address the current place of play and play occupation in occupational therapy practice. This study aims to address this gap in knowledge by exploring paediatric occupational therapists’ perspectives on the place of play and play occupation in occupational therapy practice in Ireland.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to gather data about the current use of play in the occupational therapy for children under 12 years. Convenience sampling and snowball recruitment techniques were used to recruit paediatric occupational therapists. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.

In total, 65 therapists responded to the survey (estimated response rate, 32%). Results are organised into four sections: demographics and practice context, play assessment practices, use of play in practice and perceived barriers to play-centred practice. Respondents reported that they valued play as a childhood occupation. However, the survey findings identified that the primary focus was on play as a means to an end. Lack of education on play (research, theory and interventions) and pressures in the workplace have been identified as barriers to play-centred practice.

Findings indicate that there is a mismatch between therapists valuing play as an occupation and how play is used in occupational therapy practice. Unless clarifications are made about play occupation as being different to skills acquisition in childhood, play occupation will continue to get overlooked as an authentic concern of occupation-centred practice. Thus, play as occupation deserves further attention from educators, researchers and practitioners as a means of strengthening occupation-centred practice, in particular play-centred practice in the paediatric context.

Play has been described as an important occupation in childhood, and consequently, it features in paediatric occupational therapy. However, little is known about the current place of play in occupational therapy practice. This study addresses this gap by considering the current place of play in occupational therapy practice in Ireland.

Physical activity is associated with both physical and mental health benefits for people with psychosis. However, mental health services have been criticised for failing to adequately promote physical activities. Occupational Therapy, with its focus on meaningful everyday occupations, is well placed to incorporate physical activity interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of men with psychosis participating in an Irish community-based football programme.

Six men with psychosis participated in qualitative interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview data were analysed thematically.

Participants identified many benefits of engaging in the programme. Football became a valued part of weekly routines and fostered re-engagement with previously valued roles. Participants identified improvements in social confidence and motor and process skills, as well as a positive impact on their mental and physical health.

This study highlights the value and meaning of participation in football for men with psychosis, as well as demonstrating the longer-term feasibility of football as a therapeutic medium in Occupational Therapy mental health service provision. Findings could help to promote the routine use of sports interventions to mental health services.

The purpose of this paper pertains to the implementation of an occupational therapy service within a newly‐established medium secure service for 16 men with intellectual disabilities and additional diagnosis of personality disorder located in the North West of England.

This is a general review, providing a descriptive account of the development and implementation of an occupational therapeutic provision for men residing in a medium secure unit with a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and personality disorder and a service user account of its efficacy.

The paper seeks to illustrate the efficacy of occupational therapy implemented by a specifically recruited and trained staff team, describing engagement in meaningful, bespoke programmes of occupation used to assist service users to address deficit areas via mutual engagement in activities, serving to facilitate the formation and development of positive and trusting relationships between service users and staff. The impact of the service is described from a service user's perspective.

There is very little literature relating to those with intellectual disability also diagnosed with personality disorder. There appears to be no specific study of occupational therapy amongst those with dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and personality disorder. This paper is therefore unique in its approach and provides an overview of both the process and method used to implement occupational therapy, as well as a service user perspective and an illustration of its efficacy in a medium secure setting.