NEW RESOURCES
This year also saw us co-deliver a Long Covid network with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy , bringing together occupational therapists and physiotherapists to share learning and best practice . We have also developed Quick Guides on occupational therapy and Long Covid for adults , children and young people , published in December 2021 .
The second edition of the Career Development Framework : guiding principles for occupational therapy was launched in April 2021 . This revised version builds on the strengths of the first edition , based on stakeholder evaluation and a consultation specifically from the perspectives of equality , diversity and inclusion .
We continued to work on our National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( NICE ) accredited practice guideline programme , with the revision of the Occupational therapy in neonatal and early intervention practice guideline and the development of a new guideline on Play and occupational therapy .
New Evidence Spotlights have been developed to support our members to develop their research skills and knowledge .
# TALKTOSTEVE , NEW BRAND , STRATEGY AND VALUES
When Steve Ford joined RCOT as chief executive back in April this year he set himself the challenge of having 100 conversations in 100 days and embarked on a # TalktoSteve campaign . Having doubled that initial target , with over 200 conversations taking place to date , the insight gained has been used to create a set of possible strategic themes to provide a broad future direction for RCOT .
Having shared some proposed themes with members at Annual Conference in June , all members were invited to get involved in a further round of consultation , through a survey and discussion groups .
The emergent strategic themes focus on : building a social movement of proud and confident occupational therapists that show the world the power of what we do ; providing a real , practical offer to support every occupational therapist to be the best that they can be ; grasping the biggest opportunities for occupational therapy to evolve and maximise our impact in a changing world ; and becoming a modern , high-performing , insight informed and values-led organisation .
Alongside these strategic themes , RCOT has also been working hard to develop a new brand and new values – and all three will be launched in January 2022 . Our new strategy , brand and values will help us on the journey to becoming a more forward-looking organisation , ready for the challenges of the 21st Century .
WHAT ’ S COMING IN 2022 ?
We will build on the momentum of the last few months by developing and delivering an equity action plan that will build on the good work already taking place , identify gaps and seek to fill them .
We have also been listening to the health equity discussions before , during and after Occupational Therapy Week , and studying your suggestions on the Ideas Platform , and 2021 will see us focus on the theme of access – to services and to the profession .
Our initial plans involve tools to help occupational therapists work collaboratively with communities , engage with local and regional opinion formers . This work will be guided by a reference group .
And of course , we launch the new brand , strategy and values in January . So keep an eye on the website , social media , Highlight and OTnews , where we will share all the actions we ’ ll be taking over the next year .
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