Delivering the best care

 

Members in Northern Ireland – join our new Policy and Public Affairs Working Group

RCOT
25 August 2022

We’re launching a new Policy and Public Affairs Working Group: Northern Ireland.

Members from across the profession in Northern Ireland have until 9am on Monday 26 September 2022 to join the working group – by filling in the quick MS Form.

We’re looking for 15 members including representatives from the five Health and Social Care Trusts, higher education institutions, managers and independent practitioners.

What’s involved

The working group will give you more flexibility to get involved in opportunities to influence health and social care in Northern Ireland. You’ll get to support our policy and public affairs work.

As a member of the group, we’ll email you whenever we have activities, events or opportunities we’d like your support with. Then if you’re interested, you can choose to get involved.

This could include supporting us at events, contributing to government consultations, giving quotes to the media or representing us in external working groups. There will be no regular meetings or required time commitment. If we hold any meetings to collect your advice on a consultation for example, these will be virtual.

Why get involved

Taking part in the working group’s activities counts towards your CPD. You’ll develop leadership skills, network with other OTs and the health and social care community and help promote the profession in Northern Ireland.

This new working group will replace our Board for Northern Ireland in a one-year pilot. After 12 months, we’ll review how the group is working.

How to apply

Fill in the quick MS Form by 9am on Monday 26 September 2022.

Applications are open to all members living and/or working in Northern Ireland. See more about who can apply in the FAQs.

You’ll find more details in the terms of reference (TOR) about taking part in the working group.

If you have any questions, please contact clare.leggett@rcot.co.uk. 

FAQs

I’m a student – can I join the working group?

Yes, you can join the working group and get involved in student-related activities and opportunities.

I’m a retired OT – can I join the working group?

Yes, if you’re newly retired. The working group provides current intelligence about services, the workforce and innovation.

If you’re a retired member, you can also get involved in the Northern Ireland region’s committee. Please contact stacey.abraham@rcot.co.uk or olivia.lokko@rcot.co.uk.

I live in Northern Ireland and work in the Republic of Ireland – can I join the working group?

Yes, you can join the working group. However, the content of the activities and opportunities won’t apply to your work. You could get involved with general professional issues.

I live in the Republic of Ireland and work in Northern Ireland – can I join the working group?

Yes, you can join the working group if you’re an RCOT professional member – not an overseas member.

How many hours does this involve?

There are no regular meetings or required time commitment. You only take part in the activities, events or opportunities that you’ve chosen to do. So, you can fit your involvement in with your work, life and schedule. You can get involved as much as you like.

Why will there no longer be a Northern Ireland Board when there will be Boards in England, Scotland and Wales?

We’re committed to making sure all our members across the four nations are represented and involved in our work. In recent years, our Northern Ireland Board volunteers have had difficulties attending meetings. The pandemic has made this harder and only one in three meetings have had the minimum number of attendees required.

So, we’ve decided to collaborate with members and draw on their skills and expertise in a more flexible way. We hope the working group maximises our reach in Northern Ireland and makes sure we truly represent the profession. We will review the working group and the experience of its members after 12 months to consider future ways of working together.

How will the working group make sure our voices are heard if there isn't a Northern Ireland Board?

You can get in touch with Kate Lesslar, our Professional Practice Lead, at kate.lesslar@rcot.co.uk or @RCOTPolicyNI. The working group will work closely with the Northern Ireland region’s committee and Carmel Heaney, the Northern Ireland Council member. We’ll also be holding virtual events for members including a workforce summit.