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As we head into summer, many of us will be looking forward to travelling abroad for a much-needed holiday. In the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, UK residents made 23.8 million visits abroad in 2020, which was 74% fewer than the previous year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Every year you, our members, are invited to nominate your colleagues for a Fellowship of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), or a Merit Award in recognition of their special contribution to the profession.

Read the summary of highlights from day one. You’re the ‘pivotal’ profession in the community rehab space, Jenny Keane tells delegates In Thursday's Opening Plenary session, focused on enhancing community-based rehabilitation, Jenny Keane, National Director Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation at...

Read the summary of highlights from day two. Employing OTs ‘has been one of the best things we have done as a PCN’, delegates hear in first plenary session of 46th Annual Conference Over 1,100 people from the global occupational therapy community joined us for the first day of our 46th Annual...

The final countdown is on to our virtual Annual Conference on Wednesday 14 June and Thursday 15 June 2023. We want to make sure you get the most out of attending the showcase event for occupational therapy. We’re really looking forward to you using the digital platform to access it from wherever...

Commenting on the government's plans to recruit an ‘army’ of social care volunteers to support people being discharged from hospital, RCOT Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Ben Powick, said: ‘While volunteers undoubtedly play an important role in the care system, there are 165,000 vacancies in...

It’s Volunteers’ Week and we’d like to thank everyone who volunteers with us to support our community and raise the profile of our profession.

I am writing to you on behalf of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) about the current challenges on workforce retention, and the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in addressing this problem. As you will be aware, more people are dropping out of the workforce because of ill-...

We've warned the Prime Minster that his promises to improve the NHS will not be met unless the workforce crisis is addressed. The workforce plan was originally earmarked for publication in Spring 2022 but has still not been published. Dear Prime Minister, As organisations representing the health...

Our first education summit We recently held our first education summit, focusing on the pre-registration education and early careers of our future workforce in a changing world. It was a great opportunity for over 50 educators, learners and practitioners to come together and discuss the topics that...

From 1 August 2023, 2.5% of registered occupational therapists will be contacted by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to complete a CPD audit. This happens every two years. We know that the audit can make some OTs feel worried and we’re bringing in new ways to support you. In May 2023...

Following a series of consultations, the national uniform project, led by NHS Supply chain, has come to an end. This consultation was designed to make the professional identity of occupational therapists consistent across NHS Trusts. Working with NHS staff and allied health professionals (AHPs) –...

Welcome to the May issue of OTnews. Features this month focus on several collaborative and innovative ways occupational therapists are combining their core skills with other disciplines to support those who access services.

Scoping Review Grant of up to £20,000 on occupational therapy service improvement now available. Through our Innovation Hub we aim to establish an environment where occupational therapists can learn from others’ service improvement journeys. We also need to understand the research available on...

We’re looking forward to welcoming you, those of you who can make it, to the upcoming 2023 BAOT/RCOT Annual General Meeting (AGM) this June. On Wednesday 28 June, the RCOT AGM will take place online. Here are some of the things happening at the AGM: Chair, Odeth Richardson will run through the RCOT...

At RCOT we’re committed to embedding sustainability in everything we do. We’ve analysed the responses from our first pulse survey on environmental sustainability late last year, which highlighted the need for our profession to drive change further across the sustainability agenda.   Of the 1,726...

We’ve updated and re-published two guides about occupational therapy and Long Covid . • Long Covid and adults. A guide for occupational therapists • Long Covid and children and young people. A guide for occupational therapists The guides explain the unique role of occupational therapists have in...

Despite what you might read on social media, we don’t live in the matrix. We’re not mere consciousness, isolated from the rest of the world. We have an environment around us that motivates, inhibits, sustains and harms.

Have you taught someone who’s completed an outstanding research project? You can now nominate them for our Early Researcher Prize where they will receive £50 worth of book tokens, be nationally recognised in OTnews and at our Celebration of Excellence event.

Perinatal mental health is a growing area of practice for occupational therapists. The number of roles has increased significantly following the welcome expansion of perinatal mental health services across the UK. These services support the one in five women who experience a mental health problem...

Capturing conversations with members of our occupational therapy (OT) community, we’ve recorded and produced a series of vodcasts (video podcasts) and podcasts . The series which launches Tuesday 2 May , focuses on hearing and sharing the career stories of our diverse workforce. Each vodcast is...

We’ve been working with occupational therapy leaders, clinicians, student and educators to produce a new suite of resources . These are designed to encourage more of the profession to become approved clinicians under the Mental Health Act in England and Wales.   This senior role is a great example...

Innovation that drives improvement is a key focus for a new collection of nine case studies . We interviewed occupational therapists who are leading the way to improve and transform services. We asked them about their journeys, how they demonstrate impact, and their top tips for growing innovation...

Almost nine in 10 (86%) occupational therapists (OTs) reported an increase in demand for their services between November 2021 and November 2022, according to our new report . Four in five (79%) OTs believe this increase in demand is because of a lack of capacity elsewhere in the health and care...

Welcome to the April issue of OTnews. This month, we're showcasing some excellent work in the field to support the establishment of a new OT Veterans Network for members of the occupational therapy community working with veterans and current members of the armed forces.

We’re excited to announce the launch of RCOT Research Connect – a space for members to network and discover all things research-related. Our group will showcase and celebrate occupational therapy research and we’d love for you to get involved. We welcome members across all four nations interested...

Summary The occupational therapy (OT) workforce is under huge pressure. Increased demand coupled with workforce shortages is challenging OTs’ capacity to provide essential support to people whose lives are impacted by long-term health conditions and disability. In November 2022 we surveyed OT...

Start using our Library today! Last year, we announced that the physical reference Library was to close and we’d provide an entirely digital Library service.

Do you know an occupational therapist who has made or is making a significant contribution to our profession? If you do, we want to hear from you. Celebrate their achievements by nominating them to give our 2024 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture . Our Lecture is an opportunity for the chosen...

The UK has officially entered spring, the transition season between winter and summer. With longer days and warmer temperatures on the horizon, outdoor activities are becoming increasingly popular.

We’re calling for the candidates in the Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership election, and contenders to be the next First Minister of Scotland, for their commitment to support the occupational therapy workforce. We believe it's crucial that the next First Minister tackles six areas to make a...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has joined a number of health and care organisations in writing to the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing in response to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan for England...

Commenting on the 2023 Spring Budget, Karin Orman, Director of Practice and Innovation said: ‘The Chancellor has announced a range of measures to try and boost the economy and address the big issues facing the country, under a banner of ‘Enterprise, Education, Employment, Everywhere’. The...

Through our membership of the Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPF), we’re offering three fully funded places for RCOT members to take part in the Future Leaders Programme . Run by the British Dietetic Association (BDA), this award winning programme is also open to occupational therapists and...

We heard that you feel the value of your expertise isn't always recognised. You also told us that you frequently spend time explaining what occupation is, in the context of occupational therapy, and why it's important. That's why this year OT week is going to be about what occupations are and why...

As part of Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2023, Specialist Occupational Therapist Esther Dark shares insight into her work as a PhD Student researching the meaning of anorexia at The University of Brighton. Eating disorders are often characterised as ‘female mental disorders’, leading to men’s...

Our Annual Awards offer funding for occupational therapy students, learners and practitioners to be able to take part in research, learning and development activities such as professional development, overseas placements, service improvement and research projects. We’re inspired by how much our...

We are very disappointed to learn that the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) has agreed to increase the annual registration fee from £98.12 to £117.74. The decision by HCPC comes after 88% of those who responded to their consultation last September were opposed to the £19.62 increase...

What is Occupational Therapy Week? Occupational Therapy Week (OT Week) is a national awareness raising campaign dedicated to celebrating the life changing power of occupational therapy. We want to share what occupational therapy is all about and why it’s important. When does OT Week take place? OT...

Ticket bookings are now open for our 2023 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture with Keir Harding, taking place online on Thursday 27 April at 6.30 –8 pm . Keir Harding will give this year’s prestigious lecture, Nothing grows in toxic environments , followed by a Q&A. You will hear Keir share his...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has joined a number of health and care organisations in signing a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay MP, calling for the extension of prescribing responsibilities to allied health professionals so...

Welcome to your February issue of OTnews. A new year can often get people thinking about rebooting their careers and in this issue, we kick off with an inspiring chat with Jo Whiting, who retrained as an occupational therapist in her 40s.

Working in a range of settings across health and social care and beyond, our occupational therapy support workforce includes those working in a range of non-registered roles aligned with occupational therapy or blended allied health professional (AHP) disciplines. This hub is a growing collection...

Every year, we invite RCOT members to nominate people to be recognised for their contributions to the occupational therapy profession, and we’re very happy to announce the recipients for 2023.

Rachael Harrison did her Return to Practice (RTP) supervised practice placement at RCOT, as part of the Health Education England (HEE) RTP project. Before finishing her placement with us, she spoke to her supervisor Anne Keen, Professional Advisory Service Manager about her placement. 1. So,...

Case for change With a wealth of technologies to choose from, how does an occupational therapist go about making decisions about which ones to use and pilot in practice? Read Claire and Jaimes collaborative leadership journey to find out how they did it (please refer to the Developing project...

This National Apprenticeship Week 2023, we’re celebrating occupational therapy apprenticeships which launched in England in 2019 – and have been growing ever since! Apprenticeships are opening opportunities for more people to become occupational therapists and for organisations to grow their...

Congratulations on your new role at RCOT; we’re delighted that you’ll be joining us! Ahead of you starting in your new role, we’ve pulled together some information, to help you get to know who we are and what we do. A welcome from our CEO Everyone at RCOT plays a crucial role in delivering our...

Following an increase in the public popularity of weighted blankets and concerns about their safe use , it was clear that guidance on how to use this form of sensory intervention safely and effectively needed to be updated. While the Weighted blankets for children and adults – A guide for...

We’re looking for volunteers to join the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)/RCOT Council. You’ll debate issues and help make decisions that influence our organisation and profession. You’ll become a leader in the occupational therapy community and be vital in the governing of...

Driving is a great way to be independent, enabling us to connect with other people, take part in social events, or travel to work. But for people with mobility issues there can be times when it is a challenge to get into, or out of, a car.

As occupational therapists, we help children and young people develop, achieve and enjoy everyday life. We understand the importance of making meaningful connections and getting the balance of activities right.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) welcomes the Welsh Government’s announcement today that it will invest £5 million to increase the number of allied health professionals (AHPs) and improve access to community-based care. The funding, which will be made available from April 2023,...

The Innovation Hub pilot has been live for one month and we’ve been hearing from occupational therapists (OTs) about their cases for change with their improvement ideas. We’ve identified two categories of change with improvements aimed at: identifying people who may benefit from early and...

Welcome to our first issue of 2023! Here at RCOT, a lot happened last year that we’re proud of and so we kick off a brand-new year with a look at our impact in 2022 and a focus on some of our plans for the year ahead, with the insight of our Chief Executive Steve Ford, Chair of Council Odeth Richardson and members of our Senior Leadership Team. Find out more on pages 14–21.

On 13 January Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited a newly developed therapeutic allotment in Gloucester which is helping people with mental health conditions on their road to recovery. The allotment is managed by service users, occupational therapists and other colleagues from the...

We are offering two paid internship opportunities for recent graduates or pre-registration occupational therapy learners. The roles are in Research and Innovation and Practice and Policy. We welcome candidates who have a minimum 2:1 honours degree/merit for pre-registration masters or equivalent...

We’re hosting three complimentary webinars in January and February 2023 to inform, inspire and develop the knowledge and skills of neonatal OTs at an enhanced level of practice.

RCOT welcomes today’s announcement from the UK Government as a positive step towards recognising the value of rehabilitation and its important role in hospital discharge.

We’re here to support members involved in leading and delivering international recruitment in the NHS and social care. Our aim is to encourage and enable good practices and processes for international recruitment of occupational therapists. Around 7% of the existing occupational therapy workforce...

We recognise and value the important role our support workforce plays in delivering safe and effective care to those who access occupational therapy (OT) services across health and care. We're committed to ensuring our OT support workforce has access to appropriate education, training and...

Do you want to get more out of your membership this year? We’ve got some ideas for you… Join us at events We’ll have hundreds of virtual and in person events for you this year – giving you the chance to learn and network. Many of them are free as part of your membership, including our placement and...

We encourage all occupational therapy practitioners working for the NHS in England to respond to a new consultation on the colour of Allied Health Professionals’ (AHPs) uniforms.

As part of our workforce strategy to help occupational therapists move into paediatrics, Dr Sally Payne, Professional Adviser – Children, Young People and Families shares her advice on how to give yourself the best chance at getting a role in children’s services. I recently spoke to an occupational...

Emma Grover, Professional Development Lead at RCOT, talks about the ways we can better record our continued professional development.

Did you know that you can influence the profession and develop your leadership skills by becoming a member of our Boards. In 2023 we have ten positions vacant across five RCOT Boards. If you’re someone from or with knowledge in an area listed below, we’d love your input. We value the diversity of...

Advanced practice We are working with RCOT members, aspiring to, or working at advanced and consultant levels of practice. We’re reviewing our existing web content and seeking member involvement to establish what other guidance and support is needed at these levels of practice. Advanced practice...

In collaboration with key partners including HEE, Skills for Care (SFC), ADASS and strategic lead occupational therapists (OTs) across England, we looked at the barriers and opportunities to career progression in social care, from student through to advancing levels of practice. The aim was to...

Primary care research project showing impact of occupational therapy in GP surgeries We want to show that occupational therapists in primary care make a difference. We want to tell GPs, ministers, and funders how we improve patient care. In collaboration with Rocket Science , RCOT has been working...

We want highlight OT innovation for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism across the UK. We want to inspire you and give you new ideas. We interviewed occupational therapists (OTs) who are leading the way to improve and transform services. We asked them about their...

Are you a mental health or learning disability occupational therapist (OT) thinking about how to grow your career?  Do you feel you could make a difference to the lives of people you are working with, who're subject to restrictions imposed by the Mental Health Act 1983?  Would you be interested in...

We recognise and value the important role our support workforce plays in delivering safe and effective care to those who access occupational therapy services across health and care. We are committed to ensuring our occupational therapy support workforce has access to appropriate education, training...

We understand it’s important to support newly qualified occupational therapists as they move to their first role and beyond. Our commitments within and beyond this project complement national programmes of work to develop improved support for newly qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) to...

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