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RCOT ’ s first Workforce Strategy action plan for England released
RCOT released its first-ever Workforce Strategy in March , setting out our vision for an expanded occupational therapy workforce , positioned to have maximum impact in improving people ’ s health and quality of life .
To deliver our Workforce Strategy , we also released an action plan that detailed our approach to success . This was followed by our first ever nation-specific action plan for Wales . And on 5 November , during RCOT ’ s OT Week , the action plan for England was launched .
This action plan details how you can help us build a stronger occupational therapy service in England , setting out how we can all start working towards our vision for 2035 over the next three years . This action plan for England details :
• the position of the occupational therapy workforce
• actions to transform and modernise the occupational therapy workforce
• examples of workforce modelling that can help organise skills and make sure staffing levels are safe .
We ’ re here to help you thrive . We ’ ve been working with the occupational therapy workforce in England to build an action plan that works to repair the current misalignment in English policy to deliver the greatest impact for occupational therapists and the people we support .
Together , let ’ s make a bigger impact . By reading and engaging with our action plan , we can work together to improve occupational therapy services in England over the next 10 years and beyond .
Through our Workforce Strategy and action plans , we aim to support you to become a changemaker , to champion equity in action and to build a robust evidence base showcasing occupational therapy ’ s impact . We want to quantify the value you deliver and justify the need for investment in the occupational therapy workforce , securing the resources we deserve .
Delivering our Workforce Strategy will be a team effort . Please share it with leaders , colleagues and decision-makers , to start making real change .
We ’ d like to thank the member volunteers in our Workforce Strategy advisory group in England who ’ ve helped to shape this action plan .
Joe Brunwin , RCOT Policy and Public Affairs Lead – England said on the action plan ’ s release : ‘ Today , we ’ re proud to publish our Workforce Strategy action plan – England . A roadmap for the next three years that outlines critical steps to strengthen and support our occupational therapy workforce across England .
‘ I ’ m incredibly proud to have worked with our members to compile this plan , which reflects the dedication , expertise and aspirations for our profession . With this plan , we ’ re setting the foundations for a sustainable , skilled and diverse workforce ready to make a difference .’
I ’ m incredibly proud to have worked with our members to compile this plan , which reflects the dedication , expertise and aspirations for our profession . With this plan , we ’ re setting the foundations for a sustainable , skilled and diverse workforce ready to make a difference .”
While Matthew Beaumont , Principal Occupational Therapist and Service Manager at Westmorland and Furness Council , added : ‘ I have a real love and passion for what occupational therapy is capable of and the difference we can make to our local communities .
‘ I have loved being involved in developing the action plan , making sure that adult social care OTs have a loud and clear voice and making sure customers voices are heard throughout . I ’ m enthusiastic to see how we all use the plan to shape our services , championing occupational therapy and championing the rights and freedoms of those within our communities .’
If you ’ re based in England – you need to read the action plan at https :// bit . ly / 3Ceyj25 . If you haven ’ t already , read the Workforce Strategy at www . rcot . co . uk / workforce-strategy .
November 2024 OTnews 7