Becoming an independent practitioner (member stories)

SSIP Member and Innovation Award 2021/22 Holder
Stepping Stones Therapy Services Ltd

What made you decide to go independent?
I wanted to break free from the restrictions experienced within my NHS role - in terms of how I could support my patients - and to achieve a better work life balance. 

What were your hopes and fears?
My biggest hope and fear were the same thing - would I be able to find enough work to support myself? I also worried about finding clients and not having a team to bounce ideas off. 

What were your first steps?
I initially worked as an associate for a few larger practices, whilst maintaining my NHS role. This meant working evenings and weekends and only taking on a few clients so as to keep the workload manageable. 

What lessons did you learn in the early stages?
Working as an associate was a good introduction to independent work. I learnt how the medico-legal world works and fits in with rehab. I also learnt about good report writing and how very different it is to writing NHS notes; and how to be more creative in my thinking and interventions with clients.

Have you utilised/benefited from social media?
I use social media a bit. I have a business Facebook page, I’m on Twitter and I’ve just created an Instagram account for my business. Using social media has allowed me to connect with other occupational therapists from around the world, as well as the public. It has also helped me connect with others who are not involved in occupational therapy but can help me run a business - sharing skills that as a health professional I did not have when I started out. 

How long did it take to achieve a steady workflow and turn a profit?
A steady workflow began when I started working full-time, in 2018. I would say that I turned a profit about a year after that.

Have you achieved your original goal/vision? 
I’m not sure! All I knew was that I wanted to work for myself and within neurology. I didn’t have a more specific goal than that when I started. So yes, I suppose I have achieved my original goal, but I feel as though I’m still on a journey. I now have a much more specific vision and set of goals as a result of learning more about running a business, but I would say I still don’t know what my final destination will be. New opportunities come up all the time and suddenly I’m off doing something else!

What is the best thing about working independently? 
The variety in terms of ways of working and the opportunities to do occupational therapy differently.

Do you have any top tips for fellow members/colleagues?
When I started out I wanted a better work life balance, but I forgot that in the early days and worked too many hours for far too long. There is a pressure around being financially viable and bringing in enough money to live on. I would say you don’t have to accept every job opportunity, particularly if it does not align with who you are and how you like to work. 
The independent world can feel small at times and people will remember you if you’ve worked well with them before and so come back with repeat work. 

SSIP Member and Innovation Award 2021/22 Holder
The OT Company

What made you decide to go independent? 
I took a career break in 2009/2010 and when I returned to work I wanted to work on a part-time basis but potential employers were not so keen on this in those days. I took a part-time locum job and started seeing some clients independently. By the end of 2012 I was working completely independently. 

What were your hopes and fears?
My hopes were that I could do the type of work I wanted to do, and really live out my “creative occupational therapy nature”. I truly believe we need to be passionate about what we do, as work takes up such a big chunk of our lives. I also hoped that I could continue making a marked difference in the lives of my clients. I suppose my greatest fears were not making enough money, being isolated, and not having a steady stream of clients! 

What were your first steps?
Well, I had no clue where to start, so I did the most obvious thing - I attended the RCOTSS-IP's then Look Before You Leap course (now Start-Up and Succeed) for occupational therapists considering independent practice. I designed my own logo (not recommended!), had some business cards printed and got a website going. I also approached a very experienced paediatric occupational therapist who I looked up to (and still do!) to become my formal supervisor. 

What lessons did you learn in the early stages?  
This is actually easy to answer as I wrote an article in June 2016 (published in the RCOT CYPF journal) called “A paediatric OT’s reflection on working in private practice”. I gave my top five tips for those considering going independent, so will summarise them here. 
•    Build a good foundation. Attend the new Start-Up and Succeed course (previously Look Before You Leap). 
•    Be patient. Remember it takes about 2 years to become established in your geographical area. So be sensible, don’t quit your full-time job prematurely unless you are forced to do so.
•    Charge realistic fees. In other words, do not work for free.
•    Get a supervisor. Make sure you are not clinically isolated. 
•    Network, network, network! With colleagues as well as the general public.  

Have you utilised/benefited from social media?
Ahh … social media, the thorn in my side. An essential, time consuming (and sometimes fun) part of my work life. I have spent hours on it, paid a company a LOT of money to do it for me at one point and am now back to doing it myself ,but with a schedule I can manage. It is definitely necessary for the modern independent occupational therapist and a great way to get your message out there! I tend to use most of them - Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter … and am dipping my feet into Instagram. But never underestimate the power of word of mouth!

How long did it take to achieve a steady workflow and turn a profit?
About 2 to 3 years.

Have you achieved your original goal/vision? 
Yes! 

What is the best thing about working independently?
Doing what I love and having the flexibility to balance this with family life. 

Do you have any top tips for fellow members/colleagues?
I’ve written some of my top tips above but would add to this that you need to believe in yourself, and not give up. The journey is not always easy but it is worth it!