Why occupational therapists are essential to tackling youth unemployment
Youth unemployment is rising - here's how OTs are helping.
We’ve submitted evidence to the Alan Milburn Review on youth unemployment, setting out why occupational therapists must be part of the solution.
Youth unemployment is rising and you’ve told us that you’ve seen too many young people falling through the gaps between education, health and employment services. Early signs of disengagement, such as poor attendance, anxiety or unmet neurodivergent needs are often missed.
By the time young people reach employment services, problems have become more complex and harder to address. This highlights an issue of occupational justice, where young people are denied equitable opportunities to participate fully in education and work due to systemic barriers and missed interventions.
What we told the Review
Our response draws directly on member insight and research. We’ve highlighted a ‘perfect storm’ of factors affecting young people today:
- disrupted education and transitions following the pandemic
- fewer entry‑level jobs
- inflexible systems that don’t adapt to individual needs
- school attendance requirements that can unintentionally push some young people further away from learning and work.
How can occupational therapy address this?
Occupational therapists can enable young people to participate, stay connected and move confidently towards work. We work across physical, sensory, cognitive, emotional and social factors to help young people build routines, confidence, motivation and a sense of purpose.
We also bring specialist skills in vocational rehabilitation, including functional assessments, condition management and workplace adjustments.
What needs to change?
One of the main things we want the government to hear is the need to embed occupational therapists across education, health and employment pathways. This includes schools, further education, alternative provision, child and adult community mental health services, Jobcentre Plus and primary care settings, so people can get the right support at the right time. Early, joined‑up support can prevent disengagement and support smoother transitions from education into work.
We’ve also highlighted evidence‑based approaches, including Individual Placement and Support (IPS), where occupational therapists are often embedded, and emerging research showing how IPS can be adapted for young people. Investment in early intervention, routine conversations about work in health and education settings and better support for employers around reasonable adjustments are all central to our recommendations.
Work is a health outcome
Youth unemployment is not just an economic issue – it's a participation and health inequality issue. Evidence consistently indicates that good work supports health and wellbeing, while unemployment can deepen health inequalities.
We’ll keep working with policymakers, partners and employers to make sure occupational therapy is recognised as a core part of tackling youth unemployment.
Thank you to our members whose insight and practice examples helped shape this submission; your expertise is making a real difference.