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The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Centre for Engagement and Dissemination (CED) is developing a Collection about loneliness in older adults and is seeking the input of an occupational therapist. NIHR Collections bring together research on a particular theme, accompanied by comments...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) have launched a quick guide about occupational therapy and the assessment and diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in children and adults. The new guide is aimed at occupational therapists, other members of the multidisciplinary...

UNISON : "The Westminster government has announced that the 2021-22 NHS pay award for staff in England will be 3%. The Welsh government has also said it will be awarding 3% with an announcement from the N. Ireland expected soon. "RCOT members will be consulted as part of their dual membership with...

You can watch the recording of the inclusion panel session that took place on Wednesday 30 June at our virtual Annual Conference 2021. The panel is an opportunity to hear the views of people with expertise and experience discussing what does inclusion mean to them and what an inclusive occupational...

RCOT is aware the Government has announced it will be implementing a 3% pay rise for all NHS staff in England and Wales as recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body. The rise will be backdated to 1 April 2021. BAOT UNSION, alongside other unions have contributed to a joint health union position...

Tracey Samuels, Editor of RCOT’s monthly membership magazine OTnews, tells us what is covered in the latest issue. Wednesday 30 June and Thursday 1 July saw almost 1,600 members of the occupational therapy community come together for RCOT’s 44th annual conference, and its first ever wholly virtual...

Applications for Branch committee vacancies are now closed. Thank you to everyone who has applied, we will be in touch with you in due course. If you have any questions, you can contact us via: • Regions committee vacancies: stacey.abraham@rcot.co.uk or olivia.lokko@rcot.co.uk • Specialist Sections...

RCOT is delighted to announce a collaboration with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy to discuss how occupational therapists and physiotherapists are working together to combat Long Covid. The free webinar, taking place on 22 July, will hear from occupational therapists and physiotherapists...

Since Summer 2020, RCOT/BAOT - along with all NHS trade unions – has been united behind the #WithNHSStaff campaign for a significant pay rise for NHS staff. The Pay Review Body has now submitted its report, and Westminster and the relevant devolved governments are expected to announce decisions on...

Tuesday 14 September 2021, 6.00pm at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. We’re looking forward to welcoming you, those of you who can make it, to the upcoming 2021 BAOT/RCOT Annual General Meeting (AGM) this September. On Tuesday 14 September, the RCOT AGM will take place at 6...

Wednesday 30 June and Thursday 1 July 2021 saw nearly 1,600 delegates come together for RCOT’s Annual Conference 2021 , and its first ever wholly virtual event. The vibrant and lively two-day event saw delegates get involved in a creative mix of live and pre-recorded sessions, chat rooms, live...

Given the ongoing challenges in the health and care system, RCOT believes it has become a strategic priority to create a sustainable, flexible, and adaptable workforce that can embrace new ways of working. RCOT’s Informed View focuses on the advancement of occupational therapy roles in all settings...

See highlights from day one of Annual Conference 2021. Occupational therapists’ skills and experience are needed more now than ever before, says RCOT Chief Executive Steve Ford In closing the hugely successful 44th RCOT Annual Conference – held virtually for the first time ever – Chief Executive...

See highlights from day two of Annual Conference 2021 . If you want to make a difference and have some influence at leadership level, get involved with RCOT Council In a fully subscribed roundtable session on leadership, at Annual Conference 2021 on Wednesday 30 June, RCOT Council members Kim...

Watch Professor Sir Michael G Marmot, Professor Bruce Hood and Steve Ford. https://app.swapcard.com/event/royal-college-of-occupational-therapists-...

Find information on accessing the event platform and more. https://www.rcot.co.uk/annual-conference#conference-faqs

Decide which sessions you want to attend and add them to your schedule. https://app.swapcard.com/event/royal-college-of-occupational-therapists-...

Get access to the live event and watch any sessions you miss on demand afterwards. https://rcot2021.arlo.co/register?sgid=633cbda2ca644ccfa5180c77fe131103

Follow the headline outcomes and news from Annual Conference. https://rcot.co.uk/news

Watch Professor Sally Singh, Yvonne Coghill CBE, Alexis Quinn, and our plenary panel. https://app.swapcard.com/event/royal-college-of-occupational-therapists-...

Useful links on sustainability and climate change.

We want you to think about how you can deliver and influence sustainable practice to your work. By understanding the key issues shared by the WFOT and RCOT, you can start thinking about ways to reduce carbon both at work and home. Occupational therapists should also embrace opportunities to...

95% of OTs said we all have a role to play in reducing the negative impact our health and social care systems have on the planet. This figure is from our environmental sustainability survey . It highlights the desire for both individual and profession-led action within our memebership. The good...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) receives many enquiries from occupational therapists, members of the public, commissioners and others about sensory approaches, training and interventions. In this film, experienced practitioners describe how they developed their knowledge and...

RCOT Vision Our sustainability strategy is our commitment to align RCOT activities with the most important environmental needs.. Our action plan sets out what we will do and how. Priority environmental commitment Priority social commitment Priority economic commitment RCOT is committed to embedding...

RCOT is thrilled to announce Dr Anita Atwal, Associate Professor of Interprofessional Working at London South Bank University, has been selected to deliver the 2021 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture in November.

A new AHP Health Inequalities Framework was launched today, Thursday 17th June, 2021, to support AHPs to consider and embed their role in positively contributing to health inequalities. The ‘AHP Health Inequalities Framework’ has been collaboratively produced by The King’s Fund and all 14 AHP...

The countdown is on to our virtual Annual Conference on Wednesday 30 June and Thursday 1 July 2021. We want to make sure you get the most out of attending the showcase event for occupational therapy. Annual Conference 2021 is virtual for the first time which brings many advantages that extend...

Over recent months, RCOT has been leading a taskforce bringing together the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, British Academy of Childhood Disability and the Disabled Children's Partnership to call for greater access to therapy support for...

The growing involvement of occupational therapists in the modern healthcare workforce is a symptom of their expertise and effectiveness, and is good for patient care. Like other allied health professionals, occupational therapists fill roles which they have the clinical expertise, training, skills...

RCOT has joined with the Royal College of Nursing, British Medical Association, the King's Fund and a number of other key health and care organisations to make a joint statement on the need to focus on the health and well-being of NHS and Social Care workers, many who are burnt out and exhausted...

RCOT is launching the RCOT Carnduff Learner Forum, following a generous legacy donation from Ann Carnduff. The new forum will be a group of 10-12 pre-registration occupational therapy apprentice and student representatives who will meet and share the views and experiences of learners. Forum members...

A range of resources for occupational therapy practitioners supporting people to manage Post-COVID syndrome, and those who are experiencing Long Covid themselves. Guidance and evidence regarding the most effective ways to manage Long Covid are continuing to emerge. Always refer to government and...

We understand that some members may be affected by Long COVID and may not be able to work as usual, and in some circumstances may be suffering financial hardship as a result. In those circumstances , although we are not able to offer membership rebates or discounts , we do have a number of...

My awareness of RCOT’s Professional standards dates to when I was a pre-registration student. I typically used them to evidence claims about the behaviours, values and attributes of occupational therapists. I saw the Professional standards as a reference but have since learnt to engage with the...

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) decision to increase their registration fee has now passed through both the UK and Scottish Parliament and will come into force from July 2021. Commenting on the registration fee rise, RCOT Chief Executive, Steve Ford said: “I’m hugely disappointed...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is calling for UK-wide action to develop the Allied Health Professions (AHP) support workforce. Alongside other AHPs, professional bodies and trade unions, RCOT has issued a statement calling for a commitment from employers, policymakers and...

We were shocked and saddened to hear about the death of George Floyd last year. After this tragedy, questions were rightly asked, about how we’re working as a society to become anti-racist and create an open and honest dialogue about equality and diversity. This made us reflect on what we’re doing...

A ballot, administered by Civica, took place to determine the contested seats to elect Council members who are directors and trustees of BAOT/RCOT. The results are: Council Member, Industrial Relations - out of 34,313 eligible voters, Cathryn Holding obtained 2,151 votes (elected) and Eleanor...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists and Its Specialist Section for mental health is aware of the growing concerns about the use of Serenity Integrated Mentoring for people who are experiencing high degrees of mental distress and are in crisis. Across the UK, occupational therapists work...

RCOT has launched the report Identifying research priorities for occupational therapy in the UK: What matters most to the people accessing and delivering the services Identifying research priorities . The publication sets out the top ten research priorities for occupational therapy in the UK and...

Dr Stephanie Tempest* and Dr Karina Dancza** Change is a constant, but the last year in particular has brought more disruption, including within our professional, working lives. We have needed to adapt, to work in different ways to deliver our services and we have had to rise to the challenge. It...

OTnews is our monthly membership magazine and we want to ensure it continues to be relevant to members, reflects their scope of practice and diversity and is in line with RCOT’s priorities. That is why we are creating a brand new Editorial Advisory Group and are looking for five members to...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. As well as being an ambassador for Britain around the globe, he was also father to our patron of over 30 years, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. We...

Advanced levels of practice including Advanced Practice and Consultant levels (linked to Career Levels 7 and 8 in the Career Framework respectively). These two levels of practice can be enacted within a number of roles, in different settings and with different job titles. A flexible and adaptable...

Notwithstanding being in the midst of a global pandemic, Steve Ford says it was a ‘tough call to make’ to leave Parkinson’s UK - the charity he has so successfully steered though a period of real transformation over the last 15 years - and move to pastures new.

Typically occupational therapy staff work with people living with more than one health condition who require help with a range of needs from housing to mental health. Occupational therapists support people to manage their health by focusing on what matters to them and so they can participate in the...

Steve Ford has today, 6 April 2021, joined the RCOT as Chief Executive. His first priority is to gain a deeper insight into the profession, the opportunities and challenges it presents, to build on his understanding of what it’s like to be an occupational therapist.

On 1 April 2021, the national COVID vaccination booking system for non-NHS health and social care staff, including occupational therapists practising outside the NHS, was withdrawn with no formal government announcement. The result of this sudden change in provision is that occupational therapists...

We recognise that the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities have made an attempt to analyse barriers to trust, fairness, agency and inclusivity. We agree that geography, socio-economic background and other factors have significant impact on life chances. However, downplaying the concept of...

RCOT has launched its new Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics and the second edition of the Career Development Framework .

I had my final practice placement at the end of last century. Jessica, my practice educator, continues to have a lasting influence on my work today: her kindness, patience, adaptability, communication with the patients, sharing her knowledge and time with me. She allowed me to really get to know...

RCOT has published its manifesto for the Senedd Election in 2021, calling for occupational therapy to be at the forefront of the new Welsh Government’s commitment to healthcare, as the nation recovers from COVID-19. Occupational therapists play a unique and valuable role in working across the NHS,...

A new ‘implementation centre’ for adult social care is launching in Birmingham to improve how evidence is put into practice in the sector. IMPACT (Improving Adult Care Together) is backed by £15 million of funding over the next six years. The new centre has been funded by the Economic and Social...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) welcomes today's publication of the Welsh Government Recovery Plan . The long-term commitment of the Welsh Government to provide community-based, holistic services delivered by allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, will...

Access to social prescribing services must be expanded to help tackle the mental health consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, says a new statement issued by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych). The statement finds that the...

“There shall be a Scottish Parliament. Through long years, those words were first a hope, then a belief, then a promise. Now they are a reality.” Donald Dewar, the first First Minister of Scotland In May 2021, Scotland is due to vote for MSPs to represent our interests in Holyrood, and we have an...

As a result of the 2021 Council seats nominations process, we are delighted to announce that Professor Diane Cox has been elected as Chair of Council for a third term of office, Samantha Flower as Council Member, RCOT Board: Scotland and Lisa Ledger as Council Member, RCOT Board: Learning and...

I’m a queer occupational therapist and proud. But it hasn’t always been easy. I grew up with section 28 which Thatcher created. This meant teaching about “non-traditional” relationships was banned. I never had education around LGBTQ+ life or sex education. I also saw no role models in media. It...

As a member of this specialist section you have access to two new clinical forums, whose general aims are as follows: To promote best practice for occupational therapists working with each clinical area; including support, advice, information exchange, networking, and developing knowledge and...

Julia Scott will be leaving the Royal College of Occupational Therapists at the end of the February, after 15 years as Chief Executive. There is no doubt that Julia has worked tirelessly to support RCOT members and further raise the profile and value of occupational therapy over the years – the...

Historically, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have come together under the umbrella term LGBT, based on a shared experiences of being a minority because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Terminology has changed over time and some people now prefer terminology of LGBTQIA+...

Download the documents below. Further information on these downloads can be found on the page Tax relief and insurance for RCOT members .

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is encouraging all its members to register to attend the Valuing Social Care, Valuing People Hustings ahead of the Senedd election in May 2021. The hustings will be an opportunity to influence Dawn Bowden MS, Angela Burns MS and Rhun ap Iorwerth...

Building the occupational therapy workforce is vital for the future of our profession. Demand for occupational therapy services is increasing rapidly, a trend that will only continue. Degree-level apprenticeships in England offer a growing pipeline of future occupational therapists to help us meet...

We have all spent a lot more time at home over the last year, and many of us have discovered that our physical environment can present barriers to doing the things we need to do. Suitable space for working from home and home schooling are two obvious examples. Thankfully, for most of us, these...

After 38 years in the profession, 15 of those as Chief Executive and prior to that, 3 years on Council, Julia Scott will be leaving RCOT on Friday 26 February 2021. Throughout her tenure, Julia has been working tirelessly to support RCOT members and raise the profile and value of occupational...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) is looking for two people with an interest in occupational therapy and research to help us make sure the research we fund benefits the people who use occupational therapy services. We are the professional body for occupational therapists, with over...

Details have been issued for independent practitioners and self-employed occupational therapists in certain regions of England and Wales to arrange their COVID-19 vaccinations. Clinical Commissioning Groups and Health Boards have different policies on who they are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Ford as Chief Executive. Steve will start at RCOT on 6 April 2021 and succeed Julia Scott, who will be leaving the organisation on 26 February 2021.

RCOT has published its manifesto for the Scottish Election in 2021, calling for occupational therapy to be at the forefront of the new Scottish Government’s commitment to healthcare, as the nation recovers from COVID-19. Occupational therapists play a unique and valuable role in working across the...

The Hospital Discharge Service: Policy and Operating Model , published in August 2020, sets out operating procedures for the NHS and providers of NHS-commissioned acute and community services. There is an expectation within the model that discharge to assess (D2A) arrangements will be fully rolled...

To apply for the Support Fund, please contact Clare Leggett on clare.leggett@rcot.co.uk with the completed form.

Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Health and Social Services in Wales – has responded positively to our call to protect children’s therapy services as the health and care services pivot to cope with the latest surge of COVID-19 cases in Wales. In his response the Minister noted that: “We should...

Our new Chair of Council We’re delighted to announce that Odeth Richardson has been elected as the new Chair of BAOT/RCOT Council in the recent ballot. Odeth will become the 21st Chair of BAOT/RCOT Council when she takes over from Professor Diane Cox at our AGM on Thursday 30 June 2022. Read the...

The Allied Health Professions Federation – which RCOT is a member of – will be funding places on the Future Leaders Programme for BAME members to help shape the future of our professional associations. The decision has been made following discussions among leaders of all AHP professions around...

Both personally and professionally as an occupational therapist, I have been around disabilities all my life. My dad has spina bifida, a spinal condition which he was born with and means he is a full-time wheelchair user. My mam contracted polio at seven months resulting in paralysis. Although she...

COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way we work. No matter our area of practice, occupational therapists across the UK have had to adapt quickly and creatively to tackle the challenges presented by the pandemic. In a recent members' survey , 98 per cent of respondents told us that COVID-19 has...

The deadline for responding has now expired. Thank you to all those who submitted responses.

Vicky Ford MP – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families – has responded positively to our call to protect children’s therapists from redeployment should health and care services in England have to ‘pivot’ again to cope with COVID-19. In her response to RCOT, the Minister...

The UK Government has announced that it will be extending the auto-visa extension scheme for key Allied Health Professionals, including occupational therapists. The scheme will extend visas for a year, free of charge, for overseas occupational therapists who have come to work in the UK, in the NHS...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has called on the Government to protect staff working in rehabilitation services from redeployment as the health and care services in England cope with a second wave of COVID-19. RCOT members continue to experience a ‘tsunami’ of demand on...

Like many young people, I grew up not really knowing what I wanted to do in life. From the wee village of North Connel outside of Oban, I began my hospitality career, working part time in a local hotel whilst still at school. I moved to Glasgow to study retail management at university and worked in...

During Occupational Therapy Week, we want to inspire people from all backgrounds to choose a career in occupational therapy, so I want to tell you my story of becoming an occupational therapist. I am proud to have worked for two of the UK’s greatest institutions: the British Army and the NHS. So,...

Growing up, my ambition was to understand how the human mind works and to make time travel possible. It's safe to say I got close enough to one of those by studying Psychology at university and then working in mental health. A few years on, it seemed that something was missing. I felt I wasn’t able...

Recently, my daughter said to me, ‘You just think occupational therapists can do everything.’ 'Maybe I do,' I said back smugly! Well, maybe we can’t do everything – but nearly everything! I grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Ireland. Both my parents were farmers, along with most of my wider family...

As part of Occupational Therapy Week (2 - 8 November 2020), RCOT has today launched its #ChooseOT campaign to inspire people from all backgrounds to join our professional community and choose occupational therapy as a career. Although there are over 41,000 occupational therapists, across the UK,...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has called on the Government to protect children’s therapists from redeployment should health and care services in England have to ‘pivot’ again to cope with COVID-19. With winter planning by the Government now taking place, RCOT has written a...

To mark World Occupational Therapy Day and its theme ‘Reimagine Doing’, I thought I would reimagine doing a blog that avoided the clichés and language that have dogged 2020. I think it’s fair to say that no-one will forget this year, and as we approach the winter period, our members, wherever they...

Occupational therapists work in a range of different settings in a huge variety of roles, from hospitals, councils, schools and local communities. Private companies may also wish to employ occupational therapists to support their staff, customers, or clients. If you are an employer looking to...

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