Utilise children’s survey findings
How to use our children’s survey findings to improve services for children, young people and families in your area
In September 2023 we reported the findings of our survey of children and young people’s occupational therapists working in the UK.
Key findings
- 85% said the demand for occupational therapy had increased since July 2022.
- 63% said they can’t provide the level or type of OT input children and young people need.
- 60% said their teams aren’t fully staffed.
- 74% said changes in school staffing prevent children and young people benefitting from occupational therapy.
- 65% said the cost-of-living crisis is making it difficult for children and young people to access OT.
- 30% said they can’t provide equipment and adaptations children and young people need, when they need it.
Key recommendations
- The demand and capacity for children’s occupational therapy must be understood and capacity gaps addressed.
- OTs should be positioned where they have the most impact – in schools, early intervention and specialist services.
- OTs should work within integrated health, education and care systems to ensure resources are used efficiently and sustainably to meet the individual needs of children, young people and families.
- The OT workforce must be expanded to ensure staff are available and have the skills to support children, young people and families now and in the future.
- Equipment and adaptation services require investment and streamlining to ensure children and young people receive help quickly.
We’re already using the findings in strategic conversations with national policy makers – but how can you help create change locally to improve occupational therapy services for children, young people and families?
Dr Sally Payne has put together these tips to support you in strengthening the impact of children and young people’s OT in your local area.
We do not recommend approaching all the recommendations at once or on your own. Exploring small, meaningful improvements will lead to longer-term success and innovation.
Even if you’re not a children and young people’s OT, being an advocate for change and improvement in one area lifts up all OT.
What can I do?
Tell us how you’re supporting change
If you start exploring the change you can make – share your impact!
- Complete our feedback form to show how you’ve used the survey findings
- Submit an improvement journey to our Innovation Hub
- Write an article for OT News
You can reach out to Dr Sally Payne via sally.payne@rcot.co.uk if you have any questions.