Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett

Teaching

I teach on both the BSc (Hons) and pre-registration Master's Occupational Therapy courses. 

I teach on the following BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy modules: 

• Contributing to Occupational Therapy Practice
• Research Preparation.

I am the module leader for our Pre-registration Masters in Occupational Therapy:

• Evidence Based Practice and Research module
• Research Project module.

I supervise students' research on both our occupational therapy courses, offering Student as Co-Researcher (SCoRE) project opportunities. I currently supervise 5 PhD postgraduate researchers and 2 Masters by research postgraduate researchers. I am the co-lead for the Postgraduate supervisors Forum.

From September 2021, I will be teaching on the MSc Advanced Assessment and Outcome Measures Practice. I have been a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2016.

I am an experienced Problem Based Learning (PBL) tutor, since first teaching using a PBL approach whilst working as an Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy at McMaster University in Canada (1994 to 1997) and as a Visiting Lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University (2007 to 2008).

I provide Continuing Professional Development workshops on assessment and outcome measurement and on the Structured Observational Test of Function (SOTOF) and the Activity Card Sort United Kingdom version.

My teaching interests include:

• Assessment, evaluation and outcome measurement 
• Standardisation and psychometric studies 
• Evidence Based Practice 
• Critical appraisal and critical thinking 
• Clinical reasoning 
• Research design, methods and data analysis 
• Occupational therapy with older people, particularly people with stroke, people with dementia and their carers. 

Research

My research relates to the development and evaluation of occupational therapy and health outcome measures and to services for older people, particularly people with dementia or stroke. Throughout my career I have conducted research whilst working in the NHS and at universities in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. Research projects have been funded by a number of organisations in the UK and Canada, including: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Council for Allied Health Professional Research (CAHPR), Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the Kings Fund, the Nuffield Foundation, the Constance Owens Trust and St. George's Hospital Medical Trustees.

My PhD in Psychology involved the development of the Structured Observational Test of Function (SOTOF; Laver 1994; Laver and Powell, 1995). SOTOF is a standardised assessment, used by occupational therapists or students under supervision, with older patients. It assesses occupational performance in personal activities of daily living and associated neuropsychological problems. The SOTOF 2nd edition has been developed at York St John University (Laver-Fawcett and Marrison, 2016) and comprises a test manual, instruction protocols, record form and enlarged instructions for people with hearing problems or benefitting from written instructions. This edition facilitates occupational therapists to identify the level of prompts and cues required to maximise a person's independence and support rehabilitation or management. SOTOF aids patients’ insight into their functional problems and abilities (Marrison, 2020). SOTOF is published under a creative common licence & freely available by request. Roleplays and an instructional PowerPoint have been developed to support administration of SOTOF. Please email me at a.laverfawcett@yorksj.ac.uk for a copy. 

I have led the development of the Activity Card Sort United Kingdom version (ACS-UK) (Laver-Fawcett, 2019). This assessment comprises a test manual, 3 scoring forms (for the Institutional, Recovery and Community versions), category sorting cards and 93 photograph activity cards, and can be administered by health and social care professionals or assistants in a wide range of settings including: hospitals; a patient’s home; care homes; or day centres (Laver-Fawcett and Mallinson, 2013; Laver-Fawcett et al, 2016). The ACS-UK can be purchased from York St John University, please email me at a.laverfawcett@yorksj.ac.uk for cost and ordering details.

I contributed to the development of the Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement Rating Scale - Reablement Version (HRERS-RV) with colleagues at University of York (Mayhew et al, 2019). The HRERS-RV provides the a standardised measure of patient engagement for use in reablement services. 

I was a co-researcher on the National Institute of Health Research funded ‘Models of Reablement mixed methods evaluation of a complex intervention’ study, with colleagues at the University of York. This study described reablement services in England to develop a service model typology. A mixed-methods comparative evaluation was conducted of service models investigating outcomes, factors that have an impact on outcomes, costs and cost-effectiveness, and user and practitioner experiences; and investigated specialist reablement services or practices for people with dementia. 

Whilst working for the NHS I gained expertise in service evaluation as a Modernisation manager (2000-2008). I have conducted 6 funded evaluations since working at York St John University. These include: the Keeping Families in Mind service evaluation; Kingsway West project commissioned by City of York Council; the Social Prescribing project to evaluate the Ways to Wellbeing service; two independent evaluations for Healthwatch York; and a project commissioned by the Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership related to Safeguarding.

Publications

Books: 

Laver-Fawcett, A.J, and Cox, D.L (2021) Principles of Assessment and Outcome Measurement for Allied Health Professionals: Practice, Research and Development, 2nd Edition. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.

Laver Fawcett A. J. (2007) Principles of Assessment and Outcome Measurement for Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists: Theory, Skills and Application. London: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Book chapters and contributions:

Laver Fawcett A. J. (2012) Chapter 18. Assessment, Evaluation and Outcome Measurement. In: E. Cara & A. MacRae. Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: An Evolving Practice. 3rd Edition. Hingham Massachusetts: Cengage Learning - Delmar Publishers. 

Laver Fawcett A. J. (2002) Assessment. In A. Turner, M. Foster & S. E. Johnson (Eds) Occupational Therapy and Physical Dysfunction: Principles, Skills and Practice. 5^th edition. London: Churchill Livingstone, p. 107 - 144.

Laver, A. J., & Unsworth, C. (1999). Evaluation and Intervention with Simple Perceptual Impairment (Agnosias). In C. Unsworth (Ed.). Cognitive and Perceptual Dysfunction: A Clinical Reasoning Approach to Evaluation and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:  F. A. Davis Company, p. 299 - 356.

Laver, A. J. (1996). Chapter 11. The Occupational Therapy Intervention Process. Section I Occupational Therapy Assessment and Evaluation of Older Clients. In. K. O. Larson, R. G. Stevens-Ratchford, L. W. Pedretti & J. L. Crabtree (Eds.) ROTE: The Role of Occupational Therapy with the Elderly - A Self-Paced Clinical Course. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, p. 503 - 533.

Laver, A. J. (1990). Test Review: The Rivermead Perceptual Assessment Battery. In. J. R. Beech & L. Harding. Assessment of the Elderly. Windsor: NFER Nelson.

Test manuals and psychometric materials:

Laver-Fawcett, A. J. (2019) The Activity Card Sort – United Kingdom version (ACS-UK): Test manual. York, York St John University

• Please note: The Activity Card Sort United Kingdom version (ACS-UK) comprises a test manual, three scoring forms (for the Institutional, Recovery and Community versions), category sorting cards and 93 photograph activity cards, and can be administered by health and social care professionals or assistants in a wide range of settings including: hospitals; a patient’s home; care homes; or day centres. It can be purchased from York St John University, please email Alison at laverfawcett@yorksj.ac.uk for cost and ordering details.

Laver-Fawcett AJ & Marrison E (2016) The Structured Observational Test of Function. (2^nd edition). York: York St John University.

• Please note: SOTOF comprises a test manual, instruction protocols, record form & enlarged instructions. Role-plays and an instructional PowerPoint have been developed to support administration of SOTOF. SOTOF is published under a creative common licence & freely available by request, please email Alison at laverfawcett@yorksj.ac.uk for a copy.

Laver, A. J., Powell, G. E. (1995). The Structured Observational Test of Function (SOTOF) Windsor: NFER-NELSON.

Laver, A. J., Huchison, S. (1993). The standardisation of COTNAB for elderly subjects: report and conversion tables. Nottingham: Nottingham Rehab Ltd.

Peer Reviewed Journal articles: 

Costa U, Kos D, Kramer-Roy D, Laver-Fawcett, Margot-Cattin I, Pasqualoni PP, Poissant L, Rouleau M, Schiller S, van Nes F. (2020). Comparing Masters programmes’ curricula to facilitate exchange and collaboration in occupational therapy education. Internationalisation of Higher Education Developments in the European Higher Education Area and Worldwide, 1, 75-88.

Beresford, B. Mann, R. Parker, G. Kanaan, M. Faria, R. Rabiee. P, Weatherly, H. Clarke, S. Mayhew, E. Duarte, A. Laver Fawcett, A. and Aspinal, F. (2019) Models of Reablement: a mixed methods evaluation of a complex intervention. The MoRe project. Health Services and Delivery Research (HS&DR). 7(16). https://doi.org/10.3310/hsdr07160

Mayhew E, E., Beresford B, B., Laver Fawcett, A., Aspinal, F., Mann, R., Bechtold, K. and Kanaan, M. (2018) The Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement Rating Scale - Reablement Version (HRERS-RV): Development and Psychometric Properties. Health & Social Care in the Community. 27 (3). pp. 777-787.https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12696

Mann, R., Beresford, B., Parker, G., Rabiee, P., Weatherly, H., Faria, R.,  Kanaan, Mona and Laver Fawcett, A. ,Pilkington, G., & Aspinal, F. (2016) Models of Reablement Evaluation (MoRE): a study protocol of a quasi-experimental mixed methods evaluation of reablement services in England. BMC Health Services Review. 16: 375, 1-9. DOI 10.1186/s12913-016-16000-6.

Laver Fawcett, Alison and Brain, Leanne and Brodie, Courtney and Cardy, Lauren and Manaton, Lisa (2016) The Face Validity and Clinical Utility of the Activity Card Sort – United Kingdom (ACS-UK). British Journal of Occupational Therapy. (In Press)

Faria, R and Weatherly, H and Kiss, N and Manca, A and Parker, G and Beresford, B and Pilkington, G and Laver Fawcett, Alison and Kanaan, M and Rabiee, P and Mann, R and Aspinal, F (2015) The Challenges in Evaluating the Cost-Effectiveness of Complex Interventions. Value in Health, 18 (7). A727-A728.

Laver-Fawcett, A J (2014) Routine standardised outcome measurement to evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions: essential or optional? Ergoterapeuten, 4, 28-37

Law M, Laver-Fawcett A (2013) Canadian Model of Occupational Performance: 30 years of impact! British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76 (12) 519

Laver-Fawcett AJ, Mallinson S H (2013). Development of the Activity Card Sort - United Kingdom version (ACS-UK). OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 33 (3), 134-145. DOI: 10.3928/15394492-20130614-02.

Laver-Fawcett A (2012) Activity Card Sort – Letter to the Editor. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75 (10) p.482.

Bannigan K, Laver-Fawcett A (2011). Aging, occupation and mental health: the contribution of the Research Centre for Occupation and Mental Health. World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Bulletin 63 55-60.

Brintnell S, Laver-Fawcett AJ, Ledgerd R (2011). Editorial: International development of occupational therapy: what will you contribute? British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74 (10) 455.

Bannigan K, Lewis P, Laver-Fawcett A, Wolverson C, Long C, Cadman D, Cotterill D (2011). Is it time for a mental health pathway in undergraduate programmes? British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74 (3) 153-156.

Other recent publications:

Ledgerd R, Laver-Fawcett AJ (2011) It’s time to get involved in the work of WFOT. Occupational Therapy News, 19 (12), p. 48

Laver-Fawcett AJ (2010) What is the role of your council member for international affairs? And WFOT – how can you get involved? Occupational Therapy News, 18 (12) p52

Laver-Fawcett AJ (2010) Increasing Research capacity: report on the international launch of the Research Centre for Occupation and mental Health (RCOMH) at the WFOT world congress in Chile. Occupational Therapy News, 18 (7), p. 22.

Laver-Fawcett AJ (2010) Contributing to national policy development: an OT’s journey. Occupational Therapy News, 18 (4), p. 22-23

Laver-Fawcett AJ (2009) WFOT – what does it offer you and what can you contribute? Occupational Therapy News, 17 (12), p. 25

Peer reviewed conference presentation:

Laver-Fawcett AJ, Wey S, Golledge J, Zhurauskaya, D (2013) Implementation of mobile tablet technology and apps to enhance student learning on an undergraduate occupational therapy curriculum (1 hour workshop). Higher Education Academy (HEA) Health and Social Care Annual Conference. June 5-6th 2013. Leeds, UK

Presentations

Professorial Inaugural lecture:

Laver-Fawcett, A.J. (2023, February) Inaugural Lecture – Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett: Occupational therapy assessment for supporting older people’s participation in the things they need and want to do. York, York St John University. Lecture video available at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF_7g_9t7S0

Recent Keynote presentations:

Laver-Fawcett AJ. (March 2021). Keynote: Conducting occupational therapy research during the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and adaptations. 4^th International Conference, Innovation in Occupational Therapy: From East to West – Occupational Therapy in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pozan, Poland (delivered virtually). http://www.innowacje2021.bok-ump.pl/teksty.php?plik=program.php&lang=eng

Laver-Fawcett AJ (November 2019) Invited session in Keynote theatre: Clinical application of the Structured Observational Test of Function (SOTOF) 2^nd edition. Occupational Therapy Show,Birmingham, United Kingdom.Laver-Fawcett AJ (March 2019) Invited Keynote: Research into Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science: Building the Evidence Base together. 2^nd Annual Polish Occupational Therapy Conference. Pozan, Poland.

Laver-Fawcett AJ (March 2010) Keynote speaker: Outcome measurement: importance and selection. UK Occupational Therapy research Foundation (UKOTRF) 3rd Annual Event ‘Outcome Measures and Effective Practice’, College of Occupational Therapists, London

Recent invited presentations:

Invited member of the Debate Panel (December 2019) at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section for Mental Health Annual Conference, at the Railway Museum, York.

Laver-Fawcett A & Austin C (November 2012) Invited two-hour workshop.  Outcome Measures in Practice, Evaluation and Commissioning. British Association of Occupational Therapists and Unison Occupational Therapy Stewards’ National seminar. Aston University, Birmingham.

Laver-Fawcett AJ (September 2011) Outcome Measures in Occupational Therapy. North West Regional Group of Occupational Therapists: Regional Life Long Learning Event. University of Cumbria, Lancaster, UK.

Laver-Fawcett AJ (June 2010) Led the International session in my role as COT / BAOT Council member, College of Occupational Therapists 34th Annual Conference, Brighton, UK

Laver-Fawcett AJ (July 2009) Invited presentation. Key Priorities for Yorkshire and Humber. Department of Health and Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership Sub Regional Launch of the National Dementia Strategy ‘Key Priorities for Yorkshire and Humber’, York, UK

Laver-Fawcett AJ, Stainsby R, Wallbank R (July 2009) Invited workshop. Reducing Stigma. Department of Health and Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership Sub Regional Launch of the National Dementia Strategy ‘Key Priorities for Yorkshire and Humber’, York, UK

Laver-Fawcett AJ (May 2009) Invited presentation. Key Priorities for Yorkshire and Humber. Department of Health and Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership Sub Regional Launch of the National Dementia Strategy ‘Key Priorities for Yorkshire and Humber’, Doncaster, UK

Laver-Fawcett AJ, Wallbank R (May 2009) Invited workshop. Reducing Stigma. Department of Health and Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership Sub Regional Launch of the National Dementia Strategy ‘Key Priorities for Yorkshire and Humber’, York, UK

Laver A J (September 2007) Missing Patients: Working together to locate and manage patients who go missing from NHS services. Missing People: Beyond the national protocol Agreement. Two day conference for police officers, organized by Missing people. Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

Laver A J (June 2005) Workshop: Mapping needs and commissioning MHSOP in a rural area, leading to rapid response, intermediate care, memory assessment and young onset dementia service. Commissioning and Developing Mental Health Services for Older People. National Mental Health Partnership (NMHP) Learning Event, Birmingham, England.

Laver A J, Allen L (May 2004) Paper: Recruiting, training and empowering service users to interview fellow service users and carers for the CPA audit. Mental Health - 4th Annual Conference, London, England.

Laver A J (November 2004) Workshop: Leading service reviews: overview of the process and strategies for getting started. Lead, Inspire and deliver: 3rd Annual Occupational Therapy Manager’s Conference, organised by the College of Occupational Therapists, Bristol, England.

Laver A J (June & July 2002) Writing reviews for publication. British Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation and Disabled Living Foundation. London

Laver-Fawcett A & Austin C (November 2012) Invited two hour workshop. Outcome Measures in Practice, Evaluation and Commissioning. British Association of Occupational Therapists and Unison Occupational Therapy Stewards’ National seminar. Aston University, Birmingham.

Laver-Fawcett AJ. (October 2012) One day commissioned workshop: Assessment and Evaluation in Occupational Therapy. Hong Kong Health Authority and Institute of Advanced Applied Health Studies, Hong Kong.

Laver-Fawcett AJ. (October 2012) Two day commissioned workshop: Reflecting on Outcome measurement in occupational therapy practice – how can practice be improved. Hong Kong Health Authority and Institute of Advanced Applied Health Studies, Hong Kong

Laver-Fawcett AJ, Austin C (June 2010) Workshop. Applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to assessment. College of Occupational Therapists 34th Annual Conference, Brighton, UK

Laver-Fawcett AJ (June 2010) Paper presentation. To be or not to be valid: that is the critical question. College of Occupational Therapists 34th Annual Conference, Brighton, UK

Laver-Fawcett AJ, Claire Craig (June 2010) Poster. Implementing the National Dementia Strategy (England): how are occupational therapists contributing? College of Occupational Therapists 34th Annual Conference, Brighton, UK

Laver-Fawcett AJ (May 2010) Paper presentation. Contributing to Regional and National Policy: an occupational therapist’s experience of policy development, implementation and review in England – a journey to improving services for older people with mental health problems. 15th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Santiago, Chile

Laver-Fawcett AJ (May 2010) Oral prime poster presentation. Involving our service users in occupational therapy provision: how to set standards for involvement and evaluate our progress.15th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress, Santiago, Chile

Laver-Fawcett AJ (September 2009) Paper presentation: Key priorities for supporting people with dementia and their carers: Yorkshire and Humber region’s analysis of consultation data related to the development of the National Dementia Strategy. Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) 3rd International Conference, York, UK

Stainsby R, Laver-Fawcett AJ (September 2009) Poster presentation. The nature of Stigma Associated with Dementia: the perspectives of older people. Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) 3rd International Conference, York, UK

Professional activities

I serve on the Occupational Therapy Europe Foundation Executive since September 2017. I work with 5 colleagues on this executive group, which I serve on as the Chair of Research into Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science (ROTOS). My colleagues include the President and Vice President of the Council of Occupational Therapists in European Countries (COTEC); the President and Vice President of the European Network of Occupational Therapists in Higher Education; and the Chair of ROTOS. For more information see: https://www.oteurope.eu/ 

I serve on the Research into Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science (ROTOS) Foundation Board, serving as Vice-chair (2017-20) and Chair since February 2020. For more information see: https://www.rotosfoundation.eu/about-rotos/ 

I am a Member of the Scientific Committee for the 2nd COTEC ENOTHE Conference to be held virtually in September 2021.

I am a Member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy (since 2019) and the Editorial Board for Annals of International Occupational Therapy (since 2017).

Member of the Editorial Board for Occupational Therapy International journal (between 2012-2016).

Member of the European Network of Occupational Therapist in Higher Education (ENOTHE) Masters Tuning working group project Phases 1 and 2: Co-author: Starting Tuning of OT Master competences: Comparing masters' programmes to facilitate collaboration in OT education. Project phase. Preliminary Report of the ENOTHE Masters Tuning Project Group. Report to ENOTHE Board (January 2015)

I was invited to Singapore in July 2014 on the Ministry of Health Visiting Experts programme as an 'international expert on Occupational Therapy and Dementia care'.

Co-author of OT-Europe: Launching ECOTROS 2.0. European Collaboration on Occupational Therapy Research and Occupational Science. Report to the ENOTHE and COTEC Boards (July 2014).

Between 2009 and 2011, I was the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) and British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT): Council Member for International Affairs and World Federation of Occupational Therapists delegate and Council member. In this role I was also Co-chair for the International Working Group and served on the COT Membership and External Affairs Board. 

I have undertaken several Erasmus funded teachers exchange visits to teach on: the Interdisciplinary Masters, University of Ghent and Occupational Therapy Masters programme, KU Leuven (March 2016); the Occupational Therapy programme at HVA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (April 2014); at Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway; and to visit the University of Gothenburg, Sweden (March 2011). I also attended the Erasmus Partner Week at Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway (in 2010).

Invited expert on clinical assessments for the national SNOMED Occupational Therapy Subsets project and the Outcomes Term SNOMED subset project, for the College of Occupational Therapists (2006-2011). 

Invited member of the College of Occupational Therapists' Research and Development Committee (1991-1993).

Regional Representative for the College of Occupational Therapists / British Association of Occupational Therapy Special Interest Group for Occupational Therapy for Older People: South-West Thames Regional Group (1990-91) and South-East Thames Regional Group (1991-93). 

Public Relations Officer for the College of Occupational Therapists / British Association of Occupational Therapy's South-West London Sub-Group (1987-1991).