Children and young people’s occupations, health and well being: a research manifesto for developing the evidence base

Evidence based practice is key to occupational therapists making a difference in professional practice for the people they work with. The challenge is that delivery of evidence based services requires evidence. This paper focuses on the need to develop more evidence to support the practice of occupational therapists working with children and young people. This research needs to reflect the re-focus on occupation in both what occupational therapists do, and what they measure, rather than traditional approaches which are solely directed at impairments and component skills. A research manifesto is presented for developing the evidence base to understand the relationship between children and young people’s occupations and their health. The key issues it addresses are the need to map, plan and coordinate research systematically in order to develop high quality research that will influence practice. This manifesto provides a platform for action for occupational therapists researching children and young people’s occupations to work together strategically.