Although this site has been created by a single author, Wendy Sherwood, this could not have been possible without the contribution of others. The intention is that it continues to develop in collaboration with interested parties and those working through partnerships.

about this site

This site provides information on the Model of Creative Ability (du Toit 2006; de Witt 2005) and is the home of the Model of Creative Ability Interest Group (MCAIG) in Partnership with South Essex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust and the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme team at the University of Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa.

The Model of Creative Ability (MCA) is gaining increasing interest and favour amongst occupational therapists in Great Britain, particularly in the field of mental health. The MCA has been formally included into the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme at London South Bank University and is being widely implemented into mental health, secure and learning disabilities services in South Essex Partnership Foundation Trust.

MCAIG was founded in 2006 by Wendy Sherwood MSc, DipCOT: an occupational therapist and Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy. The concept of MCAIG arose out of realising through experience of attempting to use the Model of Creative Ability in mental health practice and completing a Masters dissertation on the MCA assessment, that information on the MCA and how to implement it, is limited.
Participants in the MSc study discussed how they have developed the use of the MCA and it became apparent that this knowledge and theory building is not shared widely with the occupational therapy profession.
On receipt of the Agnes Strorar Travel Bursary, Wendy visited OTs using the MCA in South Africa and on her return, decided to create the MCAIG website as a tool for sharing knowledge and experience of using the MCA and for bringing together a community of practice (see below).

MCAIG has developed to provide information, extensive support, discussion forums, Subgroups, Away Days, training, education packs and newsletters. Much information is freely accessible through this site. Additional, specialised information and participation in CPD events, forums and subgroups is available through registration as a member of MCAIG.
MCAIG members include occupational therapists, occupational therapy support workers, educators and managers.

Aims of MCAIG:

To bring together isolated or groups of occupational therapy clinicians and educators, occupational therapy assistants and technicians, managers and other interested parties into a community of practice (a network) for the purpose of sharing knowledge, skills and experience related to the Model of Creative Ability
To disseminate information relating to the Model of Creative Ability in order to widen access to information for the occupational therapy profession globally
To share current and developing methods of undergraduate occupational therapy education on the model
To stimulate critical evaluation of the model
To develop continuing professional development opportunities in the form of seminars, Away Days and study days
To support the development of research ideas, implementation and dissemination
To support international collaboration and relationships (particularly between South Africa and Great Britain)

Communities of practice

Groups of people that have knowledge and skills in an activity constitute a community of practice (Wenger et al 2002). The centre of expertise in the Model of Creative Ability is South Africa and the occupational therapy educators and clinicians therein. Those outside a community of practice have a significantly limited capacity to participate, learn and develop in the activity of interest (the MCA). The model is gaining increasing favour in Great Britain; has been implemented in Japan and considered for occupational therapy practice in other countries. MCAIG aims to bring together these communities of practice for the benefit of the occupational therapy profession and clients.

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