We’ve been working with occupational therapy leaders, clinicians, student and educators to produce a new suite of resources. These are designed to encourage more of the profession to become approved clinicians under the Mental Health Act in England and Wales.
This senior role is a great example of advanced and consultant level practice that retains a strong clinical component. There’s an expanding group of OTs working as trainee approved clinicians across England.
The web resource includes tips about how to develop the right competencies with a focus on equality, diversity and belonging. It explains collecting your portfolio of evidence and the role of approvals panels. There’s also a interview with an OT approved clinician about how she moved into the role and the impact she has had.
Finally, a webinar recording gives you the chance to hear directly from educators and leaders about how to create the right environments for OTs to consider and move into this role.
Support from employers is crucial not only to embark on the exciting journey but also to ensure useful deployment once approved.
These resources are part of a wider RCOT and Health Education England (HEE) collaboration to create an Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Workforce Reform to shape the future of the AHP personnel. The learning and insight will be for all four nations.