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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...

Our Supplier Directory is the go-to place for RCOT members to quickly find a great range of products and services for all your professional needs. You can search the directory using the 'Keywords' box, or filter via the 'Category' listing to find the product and service relevant to you. If you...

New opportunities coming soon! To promote your vacancies to our members and the profession at large, contact advertising@rcot.co.uk .

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a report calling for immediate reform of the social care sector in England. The key findings of the report include that the care that people received in 2019/20 was mostly of good quality but that there was no improvement overall compared to the previous...

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate all of our lives both personally and professionally. As occupational therapists, we are experts in enabling others to maintain health and wellbeing, but sometimes it’s easier to advise others than to practice what we preach. During this...

RCOT has published the findings from its survey on the impact of COVID-19 on occupational therapy.

The Chief Executive of NHS England Sir Simon Stevens has announced £10 million is to be invested this year in additional local funding to help kick-start and designate ‘long COVID’ clinics in every area across England. These new specialist centres complement existing primary, community and...

This October, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) would like to join the world wide community in celebrating Black History Month by helping to raise awareness of Black Health Heroes throughout history across the healthcare sector. Established in the UK in 1987, the month of October...

The RCOT Specialist Section - Oncology and Palliative Care has today changed its name to RCOT Specialist Section - Major Health Conditions, following consultation with its members. The name change was undertaken due to the changing work of the Specialist Section and its members, as well as wider...

Each year, RCOT recognises the outstanding contributions that members make to the profession and to raising its profile, by presenting a series of awards and funding opportunities. This year, we have presented prestigious Fellowship Awards to Dr Ruth Heames and Ruth Tyerman and Merit Awards to Dr...

The difficulty that frontline key workers are having in accessing COVID-19 tests has recently been the subject of much discussion in parliament and the media. Occupational therapists across the UK play a key role in the fight against the pandemic, and the lack of testing is of huge concern to the...

After nearly 15 years as CEO, Julia Scott will be leaving the organisation in the new year.

We are delighted to announce the winners of our Celebration of Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards 2020. Each year, we recognise the outstanding contributions that members make to the profession and to raising its profile by presenting a series of awards and funding opportunities. Fellowship...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has responded to a UK Government consultation on changes to the Human Medicine Regulations to support the rollout of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. The consultation looks at changes in regulations which would allow health professionals across...

Welcome to our international recruitment hub. We are here to support any 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, but...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has signed a joint open letter as part of the Social Care Coalition, calling on the UK Government to radically reform the social care sector. The Social Care Coalition is a new group being led by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham,...

We are delighted to announce that the theme for Occupational Therapy Week 2020 is securing the future workforce and increasing diversity within the profession. The week’s activities will run from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November and we have some exciting plans for raising the profile of occupational...

The Government has announced that it is creating a new National Institute for Health Protection. The new organisation will eventually replace Public Health England and be primarily responsible for public health protection and infectious disease capability. It will start work immediately and be...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is supporting the Disabled Children’s Partnership ‘Left in Lockdown’ campaign. The campaign spoke to 4,000 families of disabled children to ask how they have been impacted by the recent lockdown across the UK. Some key findings include: Parents/...

Many years ago, I worked with a lady who developed psychosis after the birth of her baby. Each day her husband brought the baby to the acute psychiatric hospital where she was being treated. Although we found a quiet space for the family to be together, I can’t think of a more inappropriate...

I attended the above NHS England & Improvement meeting with RCOT as the BAME Occupational Therapy representative on the 20 July 2020 where issues around equality, diversity and inclusion within the Allied Health Professions (AHP) workforce were discussed. This event was attended by the full...

The British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT) has had its Clarivate Analytics Journal Impact Factor increased to 0.960 - its highest ranking since 2012. The Journal Impact Factor is a crucial metric used by authors to assess where to submit their papers and the improved result will help the...

The 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the British Association and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) will take place on Thursday 27 August 2020 at 5.30pm. Current RCOT members are invited to attend the meeting, which this year is being run virtually to adhere with restrictions...

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock has launched the NHS People Plan 2020/21. The plan aims to make the NHS workforce fit for the future by tackling staff shortages, protecting staff and challenging discrimination, as well as elements highly relevant to occupational...

NHS England (NHSE) have launched an ‘online portal’ to help the rehabilitative care of patients discharged from hospital post COVID-19 in England and those managing their illness at home. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has supported the development and advised on the...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is pleased to announce that the top 10 priorities for occupational therapy research in the UK have been identified. These priorities will set the research agenda for occupational therapy in the future and address the unanswered questions that...

A series of Big Rehab Conversations was held with members in the summer of 2020, focusing on different rehabilitation areas and themes. The conversations will help us to set best practice for rehabilitation, identify the challenges and ensure that the advice we offer reflects what’s actually...

HRH Princess Royal, Patron of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, has recorded a video message thanking members for their efforts in response to the pandemic.

An overriding and unequivocal message from the BAME Big Conversation on 6 July 2020 is that RCOT needs to do more. Words and good intentions are not enough. Members have spoken clearly about what they see as the primary actions that are necessary to underpin future work to improve equality,...

The following summary is intended to capture the main themes that were discussed at the BAME Big Conversation, which took place on the 6 July with RCOT members. All names have been removed for confidentiality. RCOT should draw on existing information and good practice Several contributors noted...

Below are answers to the questions received during the BAME Big Conversation, which took place on the 6 July with RCOT members. Why hasn’t RCOT done anything already/in the past? Why has RCOT kept ignoring these BAME issues until now? We are sorry that it has taken us too long. Although being...

The Home Office has officially announced that a new Health and Care Visa (formerly termed the NHS Visa) will be launched this summer, creating a new fast-track visa route for eligible health and care professionals including occupational therapists. The new visa and immigration rules will allow...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapy Regions have 22 opportunities for members to join their committees and help to influence the profession and support colleagues at a regional level. RCOT Regions are branches of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), dedicated to supporting...

Members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) have the democratic right to select a candidate for the seat of Council Member, International Affairs – World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is encouraging students with offers on occupational therapy university courses to take up their places when they start in autumn 2020. Occupational therapists will continue to be crucial in the UK’s response to COVID-19 and the increasing demand...

If you’re looking for a rewarding career in healthcare, start your journey this September to become an occupational therapist and be part of the vital response meeting the UK’s health and care needs. Clearing opens across the UK on Monday 6 July, and there are opportunities to apply for a place on...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has opened nominations for the prestigious 2021 Fellowship and Merit Awards. This is your opportunity to ensure that excellence in the occupational therapy community is recognised and your colleagues are celebrated for their outstanding...

Why is occupation important for children’s development, health and well-being? Occupational therapists (OTs) help children and young people take part in the daily activities (occupations) that are important to them – at home, at school and elsewhere. ‘OT helped my son immensely. We understood more...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is seeking to recruit two members as external assessors for its Annual Awards for Learning, Development and Research. This is an exciting professional development opportunity. As an assessor you will be responsible, together with an internal RCOT...

The Royal College of Occupation Therapists (RCOT) is developing a new guideline on occupational therapy and play , which is due to be published in spring 2022. All members are encouraged to submit feedback, not only those who are children and young people specialists, to help shape the scope of the...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (ROCT) wishes all its LGBT+ members, staff and allies and to anyone celebrating a happy Global Pride Day.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has called on the government to extend prescribing rights to their members. Alongside the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, the British and Irish Orthoptic Society and the Society of Radiographers, RCOT has written a joint letter to...

Looking for OT resources? We have a seperate page devoted to children and young people's occupational therapy including guides and results to our surveys. If you'd like to access these resources please visit our 'occupational therapy for children and young people' page .

On 21 June 2020 RCOT received an open letter from a group of BAME and non-BAME occupational therapists, students and educators. Please find below the response from Diane Cox, RCOT Chair of Council, and Julia Scott, RCOT Chief Executive.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) fully supports the statement from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) on standing in solidarity with the global Black Lives Matter movement and condemning systemic racism. The statement issued on 19 June 2020 outlines that...

One of the big challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the loss of our personal freedoms, particularly seeing our friends and acquaintances. This is especially true for those with learning disabilities. During Learning Disability Week 2020 , occupational therapists are shining a spotlight on...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) welcomes Public Health England’s report - COVID-19: Understanding the impact on BAME communities . The report makes a number of key recommendations with the main aim to improve the lives of people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is asking its members to respond to its survey exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on them and the profession. RCOT wants to understand how the pandemic is affecting members’ work and the different ways they’re responding to it. By sharing...

RCOT shares the outrage of members, colleagues and friends, and condemns the murder of George Floyd, and continued injustices around the world. We stand in solidarity with our BAME members and colleagues against racism of all kinds. To anyone who feels that we’ve been slow in putting out this...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is pleased to announce that it will not be increasing its membership fee for all levels of membership from October 2020 - September 2021. RCOT members continue to be under pressure both at work and in their personal lives. Many are on the...

Occupational therapists provide diverse expertise to primary care teams helping patients get fast access to the right care. Using health population approaches, they offer bespoke services for specific patient groups. Their interventions are proactive and preventative to keep patients functioning...

With plans being made to reopen schools, as a parent or teacher you may feel concerned about your child returning to school, especially if they find change difficult to handle. Here are some things that you can do to help prepare your child and to gain a sense of control over the uncertainties...

RCOT is calling on all practitioners, service managers and departmental leads to work creatively and collaboratively with neighbouring Universities delivering pre-registration occupational therapy programmes to explore what you can do to support students to access the placements. Many practice...

School closures have caused massive disruption to the lives of children and families during the COVID-19 crisis. At some point however, children will experience another big change when schools reopen. Anxieties about returning to school are understandably high, especially for families of children...

The Royal College of Occupational therapists (RCOT) has gathered the support of MPs from across the UK’s political spectrum for its call for the Health Secretary to prioritise rehabilitation for those affected by COVID-19. RCOT is expecting a ‘tidal wave' of demand for rehabilitation services in...

Members now have until 5pm on Wednesday 20 May 2020 to support our survey to help identify the priorities for future occupational therapy research in the UK. The closing date has been extended due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are now asking members to share the survey on social media, by...

Rehabilitation is fast becoming the new priority in dealing with the impact of this pandemic.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is seeking to recruit active and engaged members who want to contribute to their profession and make a difference. We currently have two opportunities to join the RCOT Council representing Learning and Development and Industrial Relations, and...

The UK government has announced that occupational therapists, as well as other key Allied Health Professionals, will now be included in the government’s auto-visa extension scheme. The scheme will extend visas by a year for overseas occupational therapists who come to work in the UK, in the NHS,...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is proud of all of our members and recognises the amazing and challenging role that they are playing in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the health crisis many retired, self-employed and student members are being enlisted to...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is calling for occupational therapists as well as other key Allied Health Professions, such as physiotherapists, radiographers and speech & language therapists to be included in the government’s auto-visa extension scheme. Originally, this scheme was...

We have posters and leaflets available for you to download and use to promote the value of occupational therapy in your workplace, community or event. The posters and ‘Occupations matter’ leaflets highlight different ways occupational therapists support people. The posters can be downloaded and...

Across the UK, COVID-19 has changed the way that heath and care services operate. The UK health service has risen to the challenge, and occupational therapists are on the frontline of its response. Almost overnight, many occupational therapists are being asked to rapidly respond and change their...

A message from our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal . “I want to record how much I appreciate the difficulties you all face over the next few weeks and months. Many of you will have found ways to adapt your skills, which are so important to the organisations you either work or volunteer for, to help...

Dear members, A month ago we could never have imagined that today we would be in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. I know that many of you, our members, are working flat out in extremely difficult circumstances to care for and support people through this crisis. You have my, and everyone at...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is clear that members who are on the frontline or in high-risk community-based health settings should not be placed at risk by the provision of insufficient or inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). On Sunday 29 March, the Secretary of...

As occupational therapists, we are experts in helping others to maintain health and wellbeing, but sometimes it’s easier to advise than to practise what we preach. Now, during this COVID-19 crisis, we need more than ever to look after ourselves to ensure that we can keep helping the people we...

Today, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) along with 11 other key Allied Health Professions as part of the Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPf), has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to demand clarity on the ongoing situation regarding healthcare...

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has welcomed the announcement by The Chancellor Rishi Sunak of a financial package to support the self employed . The package includes taxable grants worth 80 per cent of individuals' average profits for three months, up to a maximum of £2,500 per...

The Emergency Bill to strengthen COVID-19 response plans has been now become law. The temporary measures that have been introduced within the Bill, including amendments to existing legislative provisions and the introduction of new statutory powers, are designed to protect public health, increase...

Social isolation is not a new concept for many of our residents in Wales. It is not uncommon for people to have periods of isolation during different periods of their lives. But this may create significant issues for a number of people with physical or mental illnesses or long-term health...

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