News in brief
Turbo charge your OT research career
Research and Innovation Fund grants provide an opportunity for people working in occupational therapy research to get funding for their projects . Our grants are now available to help you pursue your research . We also have a new opportunity for funding to support public involvement and engagement when you are developing a grant application . Look through our grants to see which one best suits you . You ’ ll need to apply before 11.59pm , Wednesday 26 February 2025 , however , we recommend starting much earlier , as this is a full proposal and must be peerreviewed before you submit it . Visit https :// bit . ly / 3YMFY0M .
Experts in dementia needed for our latest OT guidelines
Work is due to begin on developing our latest evidence-based guidelines , Maintaining occupations when living with dementia . Can you join our Guideline Development Group or know anyone with lived experience who could ? We ' re looking for occupational therapists who specialise in practice , education or research relating to dementia . To find out in more detail what being part of a Guideline Development Group ( GDG ) involves and what skills and experience you need visit https :// bit . ly / 3YS6buN . To apply , submit your expression of interest and conflicts of interest forms to angie . thompson @ rcot . co . uk by 23.59 , Friday 29 November 2024 .
Our comment on NHS budget announcements
Commenting on 29 October , on the Chancellor ’ s announcement to provide more funding for NHS appointments , RCOT Policy and Public Affairs Lead , Joseph Brunwin , said : ‘ It ’ s good news that there will be more funding for NHS appointments and elective services to help reduce waiting lists and improve patient outcomes . This is a positive and much-needed investment , but it ’ s essential that it ' s used in the right way . Budgets and staff need to be reallocated to where they can make the most difference .’ Read his full comment at https :// bit . ly / 4egKCID .
Disability employment – do you use Access to Work ?
This year ’ s UK Disability History Month remembers the contribution that disabled people have made to the economy through work . Disabled people have always worked and more than ever before , are now in employment in the UK , including disabled occupational therapists .
This change is for many reasons , including improved workplace attitudes , increased use of modern technology and flexible working .
However , the disabled workforce faces a large pay gap , when compared with non-disabled workers . More companies are moving towards selfdisclosure of this disability pay gap to help target the challenge .
The Department of Work and Pension ’ s ( DWP ) Access to Work scheme has also been supporting disabled people into work since 1994 . It operates across England , Scotland and Wales .
Disabled OTs can use it , and OTs can promote it to disabled people who want or need to work .
The scheme offers help at work for people with disabilities and those with health problems . This may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace such as equipment and adaptations . It could also be used for support worker services or for help getting to and from work .
The help offered depends on what people need and isn ’ t related to how much people earn . Getting an Access to Work grant doesn ’ t affect any other benefits and doesn ’ t have to be paid back .
A workplace can include people ’ s homes if they work from there sometimes or all the time . Sometimes , employers need to pay some costs upfront and claim it back later .
The scheme helps on average about 32,000 people every year with support options ranging from less than £ 1,000 up to £ 57,000 . The largest reason for claiming support is for mental health conditions , followed by hearing impairment and then musculoskeletal problems .
High profile disability activist Kamran Mallick , CEO of Disability Rights UK , has used it throughout his career . Not only is he a senior professional at the top of his field , he ’ s also a role model for other disabled people . He recommends putting an application in , saying : ‘ Access to Work is the DWP ’ s best kept secret . It can make a real difference , but is under used .’
For more information about the scheme , please go to www . gov . uk / access-to-work . The disability charities Scope UK and Disability Rights UK also provide support and guidance .
10 OTnews November 2024