Help shape this project
RCOT is currently seeking expressions of interest for a working group to inform , influence and drive this inclusive engagement project .
Hannah Spencer says : ‘ We want to empower people with previously underrepresented backgrounds and / or characteristics to reflect on and articulate individual lived experiences relevant to this project , to shape it ’ s priorities and it ’ s outcomes .’
The project will run until March 2023 . The group will meet virtually a maximum of once a month for approximately 90 minutes and collaborate asynchronously outside of meetings to help meet the project objectives .
If you would like to express your interest in being part of this group , please email prof . dev @ rcot . co . uk .
characteristics , should feel valued , respected and supported to develop their talents to the full .
‘ Our five-year strategy aims to “ Lift Up ” every member of the occupational therapy workforce to be the best they can be throughout their career . So , we ’ re about to begin work on a project that will kickstart a campaign to support inclusive career opportunities .’
The project will be facilitated by occupational therapist Hannah Spencer , who explains : ‘ There has been much overdue acknowledgement in recent years regarding systemic injustices , inequity and discrimination , which affects our workforce , those we work with and future generations of occupational therapists .
‘ There is a clear need to ensure that occupational therapists from groups that have previously been historically marginalised and underrepresented in our workforce are given the support they need to develop their careers across the four pillars of practice .
‘ Supervision processes are ideally-placed to “ Lift Up ” and optimise every member of our occupational therapy workforce ; to support wellbeing , belonging and empower development and progression .
‘ Supervision should be a space for authenticity and so this project aims to enable all occupational therapists and support workers to bring their authentic self to supervision .’
Hannah adds : ‘ Insights from people across diversity of practice , background and lived experience will help us to identify challenges , barriers and opportunities to “ Lift Up ”, particularly relating to engagement in supervision processes that effectively support professional development .
All occupational therapists , irrespective of their background or their characteristics , should feel valued , respected and supported to develop their talents to the full .”
‘ We want to capture , define and highlight examples of good practice , so we plan to use case studies to illustrate role models and their career journeys and also produce additional resources to support career development .
‘ Representation matters and has been at the heart of many discussions regarding the diversity and efficacy of our professional workforce in recent years . This project can only be as representative of and reflective of the responses we receive . With this , and ongoing commitment to equity , diversity and belonging in mind , we encourage everyone to complete the audit .’
HCPC ( 2013 ) The standards of proficiency for occupational therapists . Available online : https :// bit . ly / 3td1Rpk [ accessed 24 October 2022 ].
HCPC ( 2021 ) Key characteristics of effective supervision Available online : https :// bit . ly / 3TlPpOK [ accessed 31 October 2022 ]
Rothwell C , Kehoe A , Farook SF , et al . ( 2021 ) Enablers and barriers to effective clinical supervision in the workplace : a rapid evidence review . BMJ Open 2021 ; 11 . doi : 10.1136 / bmjopen-2021-052929 .
Words DR NIKKI DANIELS , RCOT Professional Development Manager , JULIA ROBERTS , RCOT Quality Programme Manager , DR JONATHAN CRISP , RCOT Professional Development Officer and HANNAH SPENCER , Occupational Therapist .
To complete the supervision audit www . rcot . co . uk / news / complete-our-supervision-audit
To compete the workforce survey www . rcot . co . uk / news / occupational-therapy-workforcesurvey
22 OTnews November 2022