We’ve joined a new alliance to tackle crisis in children’s health services
'We are proud to stand with our colleagues across the sector.'
We’re proud to be part of a newly launched Child Health Workforce Alliance, bringing together 25 leading organisations across health, education, and social care, united in response to the growing crisis in children’s health services.
Launched in September 2025, the Alliance aims to build a workforce capable of delivering on the government’s ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. Despite making up around 25% of the UK population, babies, children and young people account for just 11% of NHS expenditure. The child health workforce - comprising professionals with specialist skills and knowledge - is underfunded, overstretched and often overlooked in national decision-making.
Our own 2025 workforce survey, completed by 675 occupational therapists working with children and young people, paints a stark picture:
- 71% reported increased demand over the past year.
- 64% said children and young people are presenting with more complex needs.
- 46% said their teams are not fully staffed.
- 47% said even fully staffed teams would still be insufficient to meet current demand.
The Alliance has published a policy briefing outlining the urgent challenges facing the child health workforce, including staffing shortages, burnout and gaps in training and retention. It also sets out cross-sector solutions such as:
- investment in workforce planning
- improved career pathways
- stronger integration across services.
These measures are essential to delivering more community-based services and ensuring children’s health is no longer sidelined in workforce planning and policy.
Sally Payne, Professional Advisor for Children and Young People at RCOT said:
Occupational therapists play a vital role in supporting children and young people to participate fully in everyday life - from education and play to self-care and social inclusion. We are proud to stand with our colleagues across the sector to call for urgent investment in a child health workforce that is equipped, supported and valued. The upcoming NHS Workforce Plan must reflect the unique needs of children and the professionals who support them.’
As part of the Alliance we’ve written to the Secretaries of State for Health and Social Care and for Education, urging meaningful engagement in the development of the new NHS workforce plan. We’ll continue working collaboratively with partners to ensure occupational therapy is recognised as a key component of children’s health and wellbeing.
With the government’s Schools White Paper expected this autumn, which will set out the support required for children in education, we’re calling for every school to have access to occupational therapy expertise. Occupational therapists are essential in helping children overcome barriers to learning, participation, and wellbeing - particularly those with complex needs or facing socio-economic disadvantage
For more information and to read the full policy briefing, visit the RCPCH website.