RCOT Practice Guidelines
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has a number of practice guidelines to support evidence informed practice.
RCOT Practice Guidelines are supported by an implementation toolkit consisting of a Quick Reference Guide and an Audit Form together with a Continuing Professional Development Session to assist occupational therapists and services in implementing the guidelines into practice.
Practice Guidelines currently available:
- Occupational therapy in neonatal services and early intervention (second edition)
- Hand and wrist orthoses for adults with rheumatological conditions- practice guideline for occupational therapists (second edition, 2020)
- Occupational Therapy and Play Practice Guideline (2023)
Let us know what you think of the guidelines
We’d love to have your feedback on our guidelines. Use this form to tell us what you think about a guideline.
Retired guidelines
The following guidelines have now been retired
- Occupational therapy in the prevention and management of falls in adults (retired 2025)
- Occupational therapy for adults undergoing total hip replacement (retired 2022)
- Occupational therapists’ use of occupation-focused practice in secure hospitals (retired 2022)
- Splinting for the prevention and correction of contractures in adults with neurological dysfunction (retired 2020)
While these guidelines are no longer current as a basis for practice, they are available upon request from our Digital Library as a resource.
Practice Guidelines development process
The RCOT has a rigorous process for the development of practice guidelines, and full details of the process are available from the Evidence-Based Guideline Development Manual, available here