RCOT
RCOT
Feature
Our vision for the occupational therapy workforce
As RCOT launches its first ever UK-wide Workforce Strategy we look at the vision and action plan in more detail .
L ast month we launched our first ever UK-wide Workforce Strategy and action plan . Our vision is for an expanded occupational therapy workforce – positioned to have maximum impact in improving people ’ s health and quality of life .
By 2035 , we will have an occupational therapy workforce that is confident and skilled in championing inclusion and advocating for occupational justice , focusing on the right of every person to have the choice and opportunity to engage in a diverse range of activities and roles .
We will have a workforce that is based primarily within communities working closely with local populations to meet their health and care needs and making services accessible to everyone .
One that is positioned to focus on prevention and early interventions , minimising the need for crisis interventions and dependency on care services . And an occupational therapy workforce that is putting occupations at the forefront of their practice , empowering people to do the occupations that they value , manage their health and care needs and contribute to society .
‘ Occupational therapists are changing lives and shaping healthier , more inclusive communities – I see it every day . Their work is nothing short of essential ,’ Steve Ford , RCOT Chief Executive says .
‘ Yet too many people who would benefit from occupational therapy services don ’ t receive them . This workforce strategy is about fixing that . It ’ s about making sure everyone who needs the support of an occupational therapist can access those vital services ,’ he adds .
‘ By 2035 , we ’ ll have a much larger occupational therapy workforce making lifechanging impact on people ’ s health and wellbeing . This journey towards a brighter future needs collaboration . We invite you , our members , partners and stakeholders , to join us as we work to make sure that occupational therapy continues to play a vital role in the UK ’ s health and wellbeing .’
Our four workforce priorities and action plan
We will achieve this through our four workforce priorities : Optimising occupational therapy ; Demonstrating value and impact ; Retention and career development ; and Effective workforce planning .
To optimise occupational therapy , we will :
• Support occupational therapy practitioners to be changemakers , using their skills and knowledge to lead and co-design innovative products , interventions and services that improve people ’ s lives and wellbeing .
• Champion innovative service delivery models that improve access to occupational therapy and achieve health equity for all .
To demonstrate value and impact , we will :
• Build our real-world and research evidence for occupational therapy and justify investment in the occupational therapy workforce by quantifying the impact .
• Work with our leaders to put the case for how and where to deploy our expertise to add the most value for people and their families , the wider health and care system and to avoid critical shortages within the occupational therapy workforce .
To support retention and career development , we will :
• Support and promote the development of all occupational therapy practitioners , especially those from historically marginalised and underrepresented communities , to be where they want to be at each stage in their career .
• Build our profession ’ s capacity , confidence , and capability to incorporate leadership , learning , research , and innovation into practice .
16 OTnews April 2024