Professional resources
Have you heard about the BAOT / UNISON trade union development programme ?
In workplaces up and down the country occupational therapists are overworked and underpaid . RCOT / UNISON are inviting applications to our 2023 trade union development programme . The main event is a two-day residential training course on 23-24 November , hosted at the University of Warwick .
UNISON and RCOT / BAOT have worked in partnership for decades to deliver high quality training to our dual UNISON / BAOT stewards who represent occupational therapists and occupational therapy support workers .
This year , as well as continuing our offer to existing UNISON / BAOT accredited stewards we have a training strand for new activists and emerging trade union leaders in the occupational therapy workforce .
We are particularly keen to invite applications from occupational therapists and support workers who have started to become active in their local BAOT / UNISON branch , but have not yet enrolled on the formal accredited training course for trade union representatives .
To find out more and sign up visit bit . ly / 45LM1nm .
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New report on ‘ substituted parenting ’ and family courts published
The Working Together with Parents Network ( WTPN ) supports professionals working with parents with learning difficulties / disabilities ( LD ) and their children . Any professional working in any way with parents with learning difficulties is welcome to join , and membership is free .
It has recently published new research and policy recommendations on what ‘ substituted parenting ’ means in the family courts .
The report states the term ‘ substituted parenting ’ is being used in family court judgments involving parents with LD as the reason for removing the children .
It adds : ‘ There is no research on this issue , but the term appears to be being used by local authorities when the support they have identified as necessary is extensive and they consider the high level of support required equates to ‘ substituted parenting ’ which , they say , is detrimental as it confuses children as to who the parent is ’.
The project ’ s overall aim was to develop a common understanding of , and clarity about , the meaning and use of the term ‘ substituted parenting ’ by legal and social work professionals . It also sought to ensure that parents with LD could understand the term , associated risks and how to mitigate them .
The research was guided by parent and professional advisory groups who advised on the refinement of methods and the analysis of the material collected . The study received approval from the School for Policy Studies Research Ethics Committee at the University of Bristol , the Judicial Office and from Cafcass ( Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service ).
Four focus groups were undertaken with parents with LD from advocacy groups across England . They discussed how the parents understood the term ‘ substituted parenting ’ and how it could be more easily explained to parents , how parents should be supported , and how parents could avoid the support they received being seen as ‘ substituted parenting ’.
The findings are presented under several themes and the report goes on to give 14 recommendations for policy and practice .
For the full report visit bit . ly / 3RbjKln . The easy read summary is available at bit . ly / 3qTYlTn . And a film for parents and professionals can be found on YouTube bit . ly / 44ALUJK .
58 OTnews September 2023