Resources for BAOT UNISON stewards
UNISON supports a growing national network of workplace union stewards and contacts
Occupational therapy workplace stewards and contacts can sign up to receive regular email updates from UNISON on the latest news, events and industrial relations, issues of relevance and interest to RCOT members. If you are an occupational therapy steward or workplace contact make sure you stay connected with your union.
Email us at baotstewards@unison.co.uk to give us your up-to-date contact details, including your full name, place of work and UNISON membership number.
How do occupational therapy stewards meet together to raise issues locally and nationally?
All OT stewards are part of a UNISON branch. Your local branch will be your first point of contact for advice and support. OT stewards also have the opportunity to meet together in their local Regional OT Stewards' Forum. These meetings are great opportunities to chat with other OT stewards and get advice on the latest issues affecting COT members.
BAOT / UNISON Steward Forums
As an elected BAOT/UNISON Steward, you can participate in your regional occupational therapy stewards forum. The regional forum is made up of a network of occupational therapy stewards from across the NHS and local authority employers in your region, and each forum is supported by a member of UNISON staff. The forum provides an opportunity for you to meet with other occupational therapy stewards, share information, plan recruitment activities, and discuss issues affecting BAOT members at work. Each regional forum also nominates two representatives to attend meetings of the National Occupational Therapy Panel. If you want to know more about your regional occupational therapy forum, contact baotstewards@unison.co.uk and we will put you in touch.
The National Occupational Therapy Panel is a key discussion body made up of nominated occupational therapy stewards from each of the regional occupational therapy forums. The Panel meets three times a year to discuss workplace issues, share information and take forward UNISON's programme of work to support BAOT members. Representatives from the Occupational Therapy Panel also sit on the College of Therapists Council and the NHS Staff Council, and are able to ensure that issues affecting BAOT members are raised within those national decision-making bodies.
National Occupational Therapy Stewards' Training Seminar
As part of its work programme, each year, UNISON holds a National Occupational Therapy Stewards' Training Seminar so that occupational therapy stewards can:
- come together to network
- to discuss the many issues affecting the members in their workplaces
- to undertake training sessions to help them both in their professional roles and their trade union work
The seminar usually takes place in November of each year. If you are interested in attending a future seminar contact: baotstewards@unison.co.uk for information.
Resources
- OT Steward induction pack (PDF, 861.02KB)
- Take the Time, Make a Difference: Become an Occupational Therapy Steward (PDF, 1018.6KB)
- BAOT Employment relations briefing - restructuring -2018 (PDF, 131.39KB)
- Guidance Transporting clients or equipment in your own vehicle May 2011 (PDF, 1.16MB)
- Seven day and extended working hours 2015 (PDF, 917.73KB)
- Generic working a guide for BAOT/Unison Stewards 2011 (PDF, 79.04KB)
- HPC Fitness to Practise cases: a guide for Occupational Therapy stewards (PDF, 79.27KB)
- Agenda for Change: Job Evaluation 2016 (PDF, 129.25KB)