Plans for an 'experts at hand' service could improve access to specialist support in schools. But the workforce is already under pressure. RCOT’s Karin Orman told @tesmagazine.bsky.social the investment is welcome, but funding must reach frontline teams. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3N7kqZo

New ‘experts at hand’ won’t arrive fast enough, DfE warned

Professional bodies back bigger roles in schools for educational psychologists, occupational and speech and language therapists - but say they already struggle to meet demand

tes.com

Children thrive when support is in place early. The schools White Paper recognises the role of OTs in schools and neighbourhood teams. Now we need workforce and funding to turn ambition into action. Read more in our response. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3MGWgVG

Children’s occupational therapists - if you work in the UK (especially in school settings) please complete this short survey to help shape future practice & inform our influencing work with policy makers. Thank you for helping us make a diffetence! app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/rcot-surve...

Children's Occupational Therapy Survey 2026

Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...

app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk

We're pleased to see that the Health and Social Care Committee's First 1000 Days report has included some of the evidence we provided about the essential role of OTs in early childhood development. Read what our Professional Advisor, Dr Sally Payne had to say about it 👉 https://bit.ly/4pO8okX

This has been a wonderful project - working with practice educators, placement coordinators, learners & schools to develop guidance for the successful delivery of school-based placements. Introducing more learners to the wonderful world of school-based OT practice! Download link below ⬇️

Royal College of Occupational Therapists@thercot.bsky.social · 10mo ago

More teams are turning to school-based OT placements - so we’ve created a guide to make it easier. It’s full of real examples and simple steps for clinicians, educators and learners. 📘 Download your copy https://bit.ly/4akCk4e

What are the ethical considerations when recommending equipment or adaptations that might limit a child or young person’s movement? This guidance explores how to balance safety, independence and participation while making decisions that protect rights and promote wellbeing. https://bit.ly/49QlkCK

Most (72%) people with dyspraxia report high anxiety about falling – yet they’re not even mentioned in fall prevention guidelines.

People with dyspraxia are at high risk of falling – and it’s too often overlooked

Most (72%) people with dyspraxia report high anxiety about falling – yet they’re not even mentioned in fall prevention guidelines.

tcnv.link

Last chance to register for BACD Annual Trainees' Meeting "Exploring Sensory Worlds in Neurodisability" on Weds 26 Nov Tickets from £30 for trainees See bacdis.org.uk/events/bacd-... for full programme and to book your place

Sense-ational Kids: Exploring Sensory Worlds in Neurodisability (online)

BACD Annual Trainees Meeting 2025

bacdis.org.uk

If you are a teacher or teaching assistant please complete this survey so we understand the information & support you need to help children with additional needs. We’ll use the findings to create relevant resources that really make a difference. Links below ⬇️

MoDI Lab@modilab-surrey.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Are you a TEACHER or TEACHING ASSISTANT?✏️🧑‍🏫 Help our colleagues at Manchester Met University understand awareness of special educational needs in schools by filling out this short questionnaire. You could win one of three £20 Amazon vouchers!💸 Take part now: mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

With the reforms to special educational needs and disabilities delayed until 2026, we’re highlighting how children are key to the nation’s future health. 💚 Karin Orman explores why prevention should be legislated for, so people get the right support at the right time: https://loom.ly/OLy3e90

This is a great illustration of the power of OT in schools - helping to create inclusive & accessible learning environments that enable all children to thrive, achieve & enjoy life!

Royal College of Occupational Therapists@thercot.bsky.social · 11mo ago

💚 Supporting children early so they can thrive. Occupational therapist Chloe Reid works with schools to make occupational therapy more accessible and help children take part in learning, play and everyday life. Read more: https://loom.ly/gx3Jy1w #OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT

Thank you to our Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA for this fantastic video in support of #OTWeek #RightTimeOT @thercot.bsky.social

Department of Health@health-ni.gov.uk · 11mo ago

The Health Minister has thanked occupational therapists on Occupational Therapy Week for their "incredible" work. Minister Nesbitt said OTs helped patients live "life to the fullest" through their compassion and commitment. @thercot.bsky.social

Great to hear our Professional Advisor, Dr Sally Payne, on BBC Radio Essex this week! 🎧 She spoke about pressures on OT services, the importance of early intervention, and the need for national investment in the children’s OT workforce. Listen from 2:13: https://loom.ly/O2crrhw

Sonia Watson - 29/10/2025 - BBC Sounds

Trusted breakfast news, information and advice, and great music with Sonia.

bbc.co.uk

Every child deserves the ordinary joys of growing, thriving and living life fully. That’s why we’re proud to support the ‘Fight for Ordinary’ campaign.

We’re proud to be part of the newly launched Child Health Workforce Alliance, a powerful group of 25 organisations working together to tackle the crisis in children’s health services. 👉 Read more: https://loom.ly/huyFz0Y

🚨DCD Research Recruitment 🚨 Together with @manmetuni.bsky.social , we are running a survey to gather #parents views on the support for #DCD/#dyspraxia provided by schools. Parents of children who attend school and have a DCD diagnosis can take part Access here: mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Inclusive practice must be embedded through the education system and national standards need to be brought in, says Dr Sally Payne in reaction to a new report on SEND from the Education Select Committee. Read her comment: https://loom.ly/N4HXesw

It’s time to fix the SEND system. Because there’s nothing ‘special’ about an education that works for all of us. Today parents are taking the #FightForOrdinary to Parliament.

The APPG for Access to Disability Equipment has a short survey on barriers to accessing community equipment. If you have something to say on this please complete the survey here www.surveymonkey.com/r/9Q3KFVR

APPG for Access to Disability Equipment: Inquiry into the provision of community equipment for children and adults

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

surveymonkey.com

Have you tried the improved digital OTnews yet? Log in to your updated account and read our latest issue 👉🏾 https://loom.ly/4lj_My8 Huge thanks to Lynn for saying such nice things 🥰

'We’ve made it incredibly hard for children to play.' – Paul Lindley, Chair, Raising the Nation Play Commission. Their new report calls for a Play Strategy for England. We agree – play is an essential occupation for children. Read our play practice guideline: loom.ly/N14qNs4

Do you have #dyspraxia #dcd? Are you the parent of a child with #dyspraixa #dcd? Do you work with people / children with #dyspraxia #dcd? If so, have your say! What matters to you about #dyspraxia? What questions would you like research to answer? app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/cardiff/dc...

Interested in #dyspraxia research? My colleagues at Manchester Met Uni are recruiting people with & without #DCD for an online study looking at mental representations of everyday actions. See poster below to find out more.

🔍 Are you #dyspraxic or #dyslexic? Local to #Guildford? 📢 We're still looking for participants for our eye movement study at @uniofsurrey.bsky.social @surreypsychology.bsky.social ! Interested? Contact us 👇 #Research #Psychology

This international study has the potential to increase physical activity (with gains for physical & mental health) in young people with #dyspraxia #DCD. Parents of children aged 5-11 years are invited to take part in a 12-week ehealth programme. Contact the researchers for more info (details below).

My colleagues at Manchester Metropolitan University are starting a new study exploring how the brain responds to sudden losses of balance in #dyspraxic adults. See below to find out to take part

New year, new publication! Take a look if you want to understand reasons for the increase in need/demand for OT, different levels/types of OT provision & how to make a referral that helps children access the right help, when they need it. Free access to 27/2/25 authors.elsevier.com/a/1kPBr6EIwS...

Occupational therapists - have you completed the RCOT 2024 workforce survey yet? Responses will help our professional body gather vital data to advocate for change. Make sure your experiences are represented by taking part today! loom.ly/81D0Lhc

Do you want to influence the actions we take to support the OT workforce in less than 30 minutes? - RCOT

loom.ly

I thought I’d use my first post here to tell you about a fab free video library designed to help children with #dyspraxia master important daily activities. Take a look! watchmedoit.mmu.ac.uk

Dyspraxia support videos - Watch Me Do It Project

Dyspraxia support videos | Manchester Metropolitan University movement support videos for dyspraxia/developmental coordination disorder (DCD)

watchmedoit.mmu.ac.uk