RCOT history
First founded in 1932 as The Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists (SAOT), we’ve been championing our profession and the people behind it for over 90 years.
Then and now, we’ve played a supportive role. We’re here to help achieve life-changing breakthroughs for our members, for the people they support and for society as a whole.
We’ve enabled members to learn, research, teach, practice and continuously improve their knowledge and skills. We also continue to work with healthcare commissioners, political leaders and others throughout society to position occupational therapy as a solution at the heart of health and social care.
The Phoenix
Embodying the principle of regeneration, the Phoenix has been used as a badge for occupational therapists since the 1930s.
However, research showed that while the Phoenix was a symbol of pride for some RCOT members, it wasn’t fully understood or recognised by all members or external audiences. We realised that our brand needed to focus on what matters most – the positive outcomes we achieve for the people we work with.
Our brand retains this spirit of regeneration, but it’s now rooted in the challenges we help people overcome. Most importantly, it’s more accessible to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Our timeline
There are many milestones in our history. Here are some of the most influential events.
1932 The Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists (SAOT) is founded.
1936 The Association of Occupational Therapists (AOT) is founded for England, Wales, Northern Ireland.
1938 AOT offers the first diploma examinations for occupational therapy in England; the AOT journal "Occupational Therapy", is launched.
1945 AOT sets up its first office in Brompton Road, London.
1948 The NHS is established and AOT and SAOT appoint representatives to the Whitley Council to negotiate national pay and conditions for NHS occupational therapists.
1954 SAOT establishes its first office in George Street, Edinburgh.
1969 A referendum among members results in the merger of AOT and SAOT.
1974 The British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) is formed from a merger of AOT and SAOT. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy is launched.
1978 BAOT becomes a registered trade union in line with members' wishes and sets up the College of Occupational Therapists (COT), a registered charity, to deal with the organisation's professional, educational and research business.
1986 HRH The Princess Royal becomes Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists.
1993 BAOT members vote to engage UNISON for trade union services.
1998 BAOT/COT moves into its current HQ in Borough High Street, London.
1999 Devolution leads to the establishment of Country Boards for the four countries and Policy Officer roles for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
2007 The United Kingdom Occupational Therapy Research Foundation (UKOTRF) launched
2011 Opening of the refurbished College of Occupational Therapists’ headquarters in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists
2016 COT celebrates: 40th Annual Conference and Exhibition, 30 years of HRH The Princess Royal as COT Patron, 10 years of Julia Scott as CEO.
2017 HM The Queen grants COT a Royal charter to become the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
2022 RCOT launches new strategy, values and brand to support the vision that one day people everywhere value the life-changing power of occupational therapy.