Sarah Smith Occupational Therapy

17/09/2026

I’m seeking input from managers, supervisors, clinical leads, team leaders and practice owners who employ or support early-career OTs.

The manager survey looks at support gaps, development priorities, preferred delivery options and what would make participation feasible from an employer perspective.

Manager and supervisor survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/PNQBDGyLQz

It closes Monday 28 September.

15/09/2026

This session is for OTs who want to advocate strongly without becoming responsible for fixing every gap in the system.

We will explore:
- when advocacy is shifting into rescue mode;
- how to communicate boundaries without abandoning the client; and
- sustainable next steps in complex situations.

Friday 18 September
10:00-11:30 am AEST
Online

BOOKINGS: https://www.trybooking.com/DNVJX
on link in the bio

14/09/2026

I’m beginning to plan Foundations for Practice for 2027 and would really value some input before making the final decisions.

I have created two short surveys: one for occupational therapists in their first five years of practice, and one for managers, supervisors, team leaders and practice owners who employ or support early-career OTs.

The feedback will help me understand what support is most needed and what would make the program useful and realistic in 2027—including the content, timing, format and participation options.

Potential participant survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/54VQseJups
Manager and supervisor survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/PNQBDGyLQz

Both surveys close Monday 28 September. Please feel free to complete the relevant survey or share this with someone who may be interested.

10/09/2026

A client needs support from several services. Communication has stalled, the family is overwhelmed and the OT is gradually becoming the person holding the entire situation together.

What belongs within effective advocacy - and what has moved beyond the OT's role?

There are rarely simple answers. This is what we will explore together in Advocacy, Boundaries and Role Clarity.

Friday 18 September
10:00-11:30 am AEST
Online

BOOKINGS:
or check the link in the bio

10/09/2026

07/09/2026

Reflection does not have to mean lengthy journalling or finding the perfect reflective model.

Sometimes it is simply having a practical way to pause, make sense of a decision and identify what you want to carry into the next similar situation.

The September Foundations for Practice session will explore repeatable reflective habits that support clinical reasoning, confidence and professional growth.

Friday 25 September
10:00-11:30 am AEST
Online

BOOKINGS: https://www.trybooking.com/DNVLN
or link in bio

04/09/2026

Have you ever found yourself making one more phone call, chasing one more service or taking on one more task because you were worried nothing would happen otherwise?

Advocacy is an important part of occupational therapy practice. But in complex and under-resourced systems, it can be difficult to see when useful advocacy has shifted into carrying responsibility that does not actually belong to us.

This is the focus of the September OT Sparks Clinical Group Supervision session: Advocacy, Boundaries and Role Clarity. We will explore how to advocate effectively, communicate clear boundaries and continue supporting clients and families without moving into rescue mode.

Friday 18 September | 10:00-11:30 am AEST | Online

BOOKINGS: https://www.trybooking.com/DNVJX
or in the bio

01/09/2026

We loved being part of Hunter OT Day 2026!

Our latest blog shares a little more about the day, our first local presentation of The OT Foundry, the ideas behind our point-of-practice learning—and the technology that kept us on our toes.

We’ve also included a very special thank you to our student, Jess Green, whose creativity and hard work helped bring our presentation and resources to life.

Read the full blog via the link in our bio (The Foundry Journal) or head to our website www.theotfoundry.com.au

31/08/2026

Coming up at OT Sparks this September:

18 September - Advocacy, Boundaries and Role Clarity
Clinical Group Supervision for OTs wanting to support clients well without carrying responsibility for every gap in the system.

25 September - Learning from Practice
A Foundations for Practice session exploring practical reflective habits that strengthen reasoning and confidence.

Both sessions are online from 10:00-11:30 am AEST.

OTS: https://www.trybooking.com/DNVJX
FFP: https://www.trybooking.com/DNVLN

or find the links in my bio

23/08/2026

2026 has turned out to be the year I decided to start saying yes to conferences.

This Thursday I’ll be speaking at Hunter OT Day on two topics that have grown very directly out of my day-to-day work:

**Building Strong Foundations** — Sharing what I’ve learned from developing OT Sparks: Foundations for Practice and thinking more deliberately about what early-career OTs actually need to feel supported, capable and connected.

**Clarity before Prescription** — Looking at how we can slow down AT decision-making just enough to make sure we are clear on the occupational problem before jumping to the solution.

This is really the first year in a long time (or ever!!) that I’ve felt like I’ve had enough bandwidth in my personal and professional life to do more than the bare minimum needed to keep everything moving. So, I'm stepping outside my comfort zone... but giving it a go.

I’m also really looking forward to sharing the morning session with Alyce Svensk - The OT Coach Australia, and also talking about the work Laura Vogelzang and I have been doing through The OT Foundry.

Four days to go, hope to see you there!