Occupational therapy: Maintaining our identity

Occupational therapists (OTs) play a vital role in adult social care. Despite making up just 4% of the regulated workforce, OTs deal with 35 to 45% of local authority referrals. Demand for social care and OT services are increasing but there are not enough OTs to meet demand. Key challenges for occupational therapy include maintaining our professional identity, purpose and autonomy in an ever-changing workplace environment.

Attend this session to:

• Explore the potential of occupational therapy in adult social care
• Identify practical steps to raise the profile of OTs in social care
• Identify the challenges and benefits of maintaining the OT professional role

Mary Ogunlayi, principal occupational therapist, Adult Social Care, Surrey County Council