I When developing new models of supervision, it is important to balance preparation with experiential learning in order to promote professional and personal growth in students and supervisors.What the study has added The proposed model and reported experiences of students and academic staff should assist educational establishments in planning and implementing peer-assisted learning within role-emerging placements.

Having a productive occupation is seen as fundamental to an individual's health and wellbeing. Employment provides structure, self-identity, a means to provide for oneself and social inclusion. The Government has made a commitment to invest in supporting people back into the workplace following illness. This opinion piece reflects the authors' interest in how this applies to service users with a forensic history, who face additional barriers to employment. It calls on occupational therapists to share research and practice accounts of vocational rehabilitation within forensic settings in order to contribute to the evidence base for this area of occupational therapy practice.

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Introduction Occupational therapy has long had a strong presence in military mental healthcare. Today’s veterans have complex needs and can face challenges reintegrating into civilian life. This exploratory study investigated whether veterans receiving mental health treatment who participated in a bespoke occupational therapy and resilience workshop intervention improved their perceived participation in everyday life. Method An interpretivist hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to explore veterans’ perspectives. Ten participants took part in two semistructured focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyse patterns within the data. Findings Most participants developed occupational goals and started to make lifestyle changes; participants developed an appreciation of the value of occupation; participants developed insight into their recovery journeys; and value was placed on the ‘healing power’ of the group. Conclusion This exploratory study provides preliminary evidence to suggest occupational therapy was influential in helping participants understand the impact of occupation on health and start making lifestyle changes. Participants also reflected on their recovery journeys. The benefits of doing this within a group environment appear to have been particularly therapeutic. Original occupational therapy research in this specialism is sparse. This novel study provides insight that can further discussion and enhance understanding about what the profession can offer this client group.

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