Professional Development Opportunities: Short Courses & Webinars
At the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (±¬ÁϳԹÏ), our commitment to lifelong learning is central to our mission. As the recognised professional body for prosthetists and orthotists in the UK, we understand the critical role that accessible, high-quality education plays in maintaining clinical standards, advancing practice, and enabling career development.
Our educational programmes are designed to empower practitioners—whether newly qualified or highly experienced—with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to meet the dynamic needs of modern prosthetic and orthotic care. ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï supports professionals throughout their career journeys, ensuring that learning opportunities are relevant, practical, and impactful.
Webinars
Our wide-ranging webinar series offers engaging content delivered by leading experts in the field. Topics include emerging technologies, clinical best practices, patient case studies, healthcare policy updates, and interdisciplinary approaches. These flexible online sessions provide members with the opportunity to stay abreast of current developments—all from the convenience of their home or workplace.
Structured Short Courses
In addition to webinars, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï delivers structured short courses aimed at deepening specialist knowledge and promoting professional excellence. These courses are grounded in real-world practice and aligned with evolving clinical demands, offering hands-on learning and peer collaboration. Participants benefit from interactive formats that encourage dialogue, critical thinking, and practical application.
Member-Led and Accessible
Our educational initiatives are shaped by the profession itself. We actively seek member feedback and encourage topic suggestions, ensuring that our content remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of prosthetists and orthotists. Furthermore, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is proud to offer many of our webinars and learning resources at no cost or reduced rates to members, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Through ongoing investment in education, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is not only supporting the growth and development of individual practitioners but also contributing to the advancement of the profession as a whole.
Annoucement
📢 We’re pleased to announce that we are piloting a new, streamlined approach to funding orthotic education!
This pilot will apply to the Action Centred Leadership Course, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Bitesize Courses, and the Orthotic Management of Early Stroke Course. As part of this initiative, UK orthotists, orthotics technicians, and orthotic support workers will no longer need to pay upfront for these selected courses where they are approved by the Orthotic Education Training Trust (OETT).
Instead, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï and OETT will work together directly to arrange funding, helping to reduce the financial burden on the orthotic workforce.
Dr Nicky Eddison, ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chair,
“This pilot marks an important step toward making professional development more accessible. By removing upfront costs, we are enabling more of our workforce to engage in high-quality education without financial barriers.â€
Kay Purnell, OETT Chair,
“We are delighted to collaborate with ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï on this pilot. It allows us to test a more streamlined and supportive funding process, helping more clinicians and support staff access essential training.â€
🤠This pilot reflects our shared commitment to supporting the orthotic community and investing in its future. The next step is to ensure that training and education are protected in service contracts, enabling our workforce to thrive.
🔗 To learn more about OETT, visit: https://www.oett.org.uk/
Course description:Ìý
Orthotic management of early stroke – A one day course
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Within our busy clinical schedules, orthotists are often requested to provide opinion on orthotic intervention for stroke patients at all stages of their recovery. A common comment is we wish we had seen them earlier. If our wish came true. What would we do and what is the ideal approach for orthotic treatment from day one?
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For physiotherapists, there are a plethora of evidence based interventions with little guidance for best approach treating and managing stroke survivors with motor impairments
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Our course offers a well thought out clinically reasoned approach based on physiotherapy interventions and NICE guidelines to create a care pathway that gives patients and therapists the best opportunity to reach optimal recovery and independence.
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This course commences with formal presentations supporting the pathway and leads to practical demonstration with patients.
What do orthotists do for stroke patients?
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We all work in different ways . The evidence base for stroke rehabilitation, not just for orthotists is so variable, there is no consistency.
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Often orthotists are asked to provide specific treatment for one aspect of alignment at request of physiotherapists wiho may not consider the greater impact potential of orthotic treatment.
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Orthotists often say, they should be involved earlier, but if they did, what would they do? What principles would they use? What evidence or clinical reasoning do they have to support there intervention, not only as the patient presents initially but as to how it will contribute to ongoing rehabilitation and hopefully improvement and recovery. What complimentary interventions in the way of Physiotherapy would they recommend?
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We have considered these questions over many years working together and look forward to sharing our thoughts, but also providing a care pathway where orthotic treatment and assessment is at the core of rehabilitation.
Learning Outcomes:Ìý
Orthotic management of early strokeÌýÌý
Background and understanding of stroke pathologyÌýÌý
What’s the evidence for interventions?Ìý
Current practice and variabilityÌý
A proposed model to optimise motor learning.Ìý
Practical assessment and clinical testÌý
Simulating interventionsÌý
Complimentary interventionsÌý
Case studiesÌý
Intended Participants:Ìý
​​☒​ Orthotists
​​☒​ Orthotic support workers
​​☒​ Other: PhysiotherapistsÌýÌý
Course timings: registration at 09:00, start 09:30, finish by 16.00.
We encourage practising Orthotists or Orthotic Support Workers, who must beÌýworking in the UK, to apply for reimbursement from OETT (The Orthotic Education and Training Trust).
Course fee funding for non-±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï members would be at the ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï member rate for practising Orthotists or Orthotic Support Workers, who must be working in the UK only.
Applications can be made via the online applications link on the OETT website: Requests for reimbursement must include evidence of reflective learning/CPD.
Adair Leadership was founded by Professor John Adair, one of the world’s foremost authorities on leadership and leadership development. The organisation wasÌýestablishedÌýto deliver high-quality leadership training and strategic consultancy to organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors, both in the UK and internationally.Ìý
Professor Adair pioneered the Action Centred Leadership® model, which has been adopted globally andÌýremainsÌýone of the most widely taught leadership frameworks in the world. Over one million managers haveÌýparticipatedÌýin Action Centred Leadership programmes. Professor Adair authored more than 50 leadership books, translated into 18 languages, cementing Adair Leadership’s position as a globally recognised authority in leadership education and development.Ìý
Adair Leadership’s trainers are highly experienced facilitators and leadership coaches, delivering leadership training for organisations across the public,ÌýprivateÌýand voluntary sectors in the UK and internationally.Ìý
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Action Centred Leadership®ÌýCourse Testimonials:
Nicola Eddison (±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chair)Ìý
“The ADAIR Action Centred Leadership course is one of the most practical leadership programmes I have attended. Its framework is clear, immediately applicable, and grounded in real workplace dynamics. What makes it particularly powerful is how translational it is. You leave the course able to put what you have learned into practice straight away, whether that is strengthening team dynamics, understanding how to improve task delivery, or developing individuals. The impact is tangible rather than theoreticalÌýand it is reflected in your leadership the very next day.â€
Feedback from participants on the 2-day ACL Team Leader course:Ìý
“I gained a greater understanding of the role of the leader and the skills that areÌýneeded.â€Ìý
“The ACL course has made me look at my team leader role in a new way. It gaveÌýme the opportunity to learn new things to help both me and my team.â€Ìý
“The Three Circles Model isÌýa very goodÌýway of reminding yourself if you areÌýcovering everything you need to as a leader.â€Ìý
“Our trainer broke down leadership in an encouraging way, providing a clearÌýroute toÌýeffectiveÌýleadership.â€Ìý
Course description:Ìý
The aim of this course is to develop participants’ leadership capability by building self-awareness, practical leadershipÌýskillsÌýand the confidence to apply the Three Circles Model® (task, team and individual) in their own role and organisational context so they can become good leaders and leaders for good.Ìý
Grounded in John Adair’s values-based and skills-led approach to leadership, the course enables participants to translate leadership theory into practical action through reflection,ÌýapplicationÌýand structured sessions.Ìý
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What is Action-Centred Leadership?Ìý
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Action Centred Leadership (ACL®) is a practical and flexible approach to leadership that helps you understand how to lead people, deliver results, and build strong teams. It is based on the belief that today’s organisations need good leaders and leaders for good, people who are effective in their role and who act with integrity, responsibility, and purpose.Ìý
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ACL focuses on leadership as a set of learnable skills rather than a personality trait or job title. It recognises that leadership happens atÌýdifferent levelsÌýin every organisation, whether you are leading a team, managing multiple teams, or helping shape strategic direction. The same core principles apply at each level, supporting leaders to balance performance, people and purpose while making a positive and lasting impact.Ìý
Learning Outcomes:Ìý
Gain insight into your own leadership strengths and development areasÌý
Practise and apply the core skills of Action Centred Leadership with confidenceÌý
Evaluate and use the ACL Three Circles Model to balance task,ÌýteamÌýand individual needs within your role and across your organisationÌý
Develop a realistic and measurable ACL Action Plan to implement ACL practices in your work environmentÌý
Intended Participants:Ìý
​​☒​ÌýOrthotistÌý
​​☒​ÌýProsthetistÌý
​​☒​ÌýOrthotic technicianÌý
​​☒​ÌýProsthetic technicianÌý
​​☒​ÌýOrthotic support workerÌýÌýÌý
​​☒​ÌýProsthetic support workerÌýÌýÌý
We encourage practising Orthotists or Orthotic Support Workers, who must beÌýworking in the UK, to apply for reimbursement from OETT (The Orthotic Education and Training Trust).
Course fee funding for non-±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï members would be at the 50 % ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï member rate for practising Orthotists or Orthotic Support Workers who must be working in the UK only.
Applications can be made via the online applications link on the OETT website: Requests for reimbursement must include evidence of reflective learning/CPD.
Please note: OETT willÌýfundÌý50% of the ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Membership cost of the fee of theÌýcourse andÌýwill support travel and accommodation atÌýtheirÌýusual rate.Ìý
Course aim:
The course aims to improve the skills of the Orthotist when providing therapeutic footwear to their patients.​Ìý
Course description:
Day 1Ìýis presented virtually and covers footwear assessment procedures, what to consider, analysis of the situation and how to use this information to choose the mostÌýappropriate typeÌýof footwear.ÌýÌýTheÌýdifferent typesÌýof footwear will be discussed, stock, modular, and bespoke footwear (its uses, allowances,ÌýbenefitsÌýand limitations).ÌýÌýThe mechanics of feet and how they affect footwear and how footwear affects feet is included, with lots of detail about designing bespoke footwear and how each part of it should be specified and designed by the orthotist to achieve the best outcome for the patient.​​Ìý
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Days 2 and 3Ìýare face to face and includes practical sessions aiming to improve assessment, measuring skills, casting, fitting,ÌýsupplyingÌýand reviewing skills.​Ìý
Potential problems at fitting and review and how to resolve them will be discussed and suggestions on how to improve practice will be suggested. ​Ìý
Attendees should be prepared to share a short case study on day 1.ÌýÌýThis can be either a success or a problem that they experience in their footwear provision.ÌýÌýA brief description is all that is needed but photos would help.​​Ìý
Attendees should bring an example of a footwear draft to day 2.​Ìý
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Delegates will need to attend all 3 days of this Short Course.Ìý
Intended Participants:Ìý
​​☒​ Orthotists
​​☒​ Other: Learners
We encourage practising Orthotists who must beÌýworking in the UK, to apply for reimbursement from OETT (The Orthotic Education and Training Trust).
Course fee funding for non-±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï members would be at the ±¬ÁÏ³Ô¹Ï member rate for practising Orthotists or Orthotic Support Workers, who must be working in the UK only.
Applications can be made via the online applications link on the OETT website: Requests for reimbursement must include evidence of reflective learning/CPD.
We’re planning a hands-on anatomy refresher course for clinicians and students in Prosthetics & Orthotics—and we want your input.
This course will bring together expert-led teaching, cadaveric prosections, and digital tools to revisit clinically relevant anatomy in a practical, applied way.
Help us shape the course by telling us which anatomical areas you’d find most valuable.
Complete the short survey and register your interest—spaces will be limited.
Conservative Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence, Bracing Techniques, and Case StudiesÌý
Current Evidence and NICE ThresholdsÌý
Speaker:ÌýDr. Jill Halstead-RastrickÌý
Description:ÌýExercise and weight loss are the first-line treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Alongside this, knee braces offer people with knee pain an alternative treatmentÌýoption, especially for those where first line treatments or knee surgery are not possible, but the evidence is limited.ÌýÌý
Knee bracing was reviewed as part of the recent OA NICE guidelineÌýupdateÌýand this will be discussed.Ìý
Auditing Knee Brace ProvisionÌý
Speaker:ÌýMatthew WoodÌý
Description:ÌýDuring the Covid-19 pandemic, when elective surgery was suspended on the NHS, the waiting list for total knee replacements got longer with fewer resources available to manage deteriorating patients. We designed an audit to proposeÌýappropriate patientsÌýare offered an orthotists’ assessment whilst they wait, and a protocol was agreed.ÌýThis provided us with an opportunity to prove that the research supporting knee bracing could provide benefits to quality of life, improve outcomes, and reduce costs.ÌýÌý
In this session, we wish to share the learning from this audit and provide a framework for those interested in addressing local barriers to provision.Ìý
Biomechanical Principles and Brace Selection for OA BracingÌý
Speaker:ÌýGiles Leeming
Description:ÌýBracing for knee osteoarthritis relies on biomechanical principles to manage theÌýosteoarthritis (OA) by redistributing the mechanical load across the knee joint. Understanding these principles is crucial for selecting andÌýcustomisingÌýbraces to cater to individual patient needs, ensuring effective pain management and functional improvement. Giles Leeming will go through these principles, and will also delve into the principles forÌýaccurateÌýbrace selection; and present case studiesÌýÌý
Giles will also introduce Allan Henshall, a bi-lateral brace user and will also present problem-solving through various case studies.
Past Short Courses & Webinars
