Proposed changes to our membership fees
After careful consideration and reflection, Council is proposing to change membership fees from October 2025 to address rising inflation.
Changes to member fees can only be approved by a vote of BAOT members as part of our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Find out more about what we’re proposing and why and how you can have your say and vote in response.
Your membership benefits
As your professional body we champion the occupational therapy community and strive to position occupational therapy as a solution to health and social care. We’re here to support you throughout your career and provide benefits so you have everything you need to succeed including:
- an advocate for occupational therapists at a time when health and care service are severely challenged
- expert support from our dedicated professional advisory service
- opportunities to shape the future of the profession
- career development opportunities and through networking, events and exclusive resources
- funding support for research, learning and development to fuel your career
- insurance cover up to £10million for the majority of members
- UNISON membership with legal representation and a voice in employers’ salary negotiations.
You can read our BAOT and RCOT Annual reports for a summary of how members are benefitting from our support and services:
Giving you more for your membership
We’re always working to improve your experience and benefits, helping you grow in your career and drive positive change for the profession and the people you support. Your membership now also includes:
- a personalised CPD portfolio to showcase your growth and support audit preparation
- access to RCOT Communities, a community engagement platform, where you network and learn based on your region, practice area, career level or professional interests
- better digital experiences, an upgraded digital version of OTnews so you can read the latest developments and insights on any device, on the go.
- a more user-friendly website with a brand-new Resource Centre making it easier to access your exclusive member-only resources.
Challenging financial conditions
In the last seven years we’ve only raised members fees once, by a modest 1.5% in October 2022, which was below the inflation rate. Since then, our fees have remained the same despite inflation averaging 8.1% between October 2022 and September 2023, and 3.6% and 3.4% in the following years.
We’ve deliberately chosen to shield you from these inflationary pressures, because we’re aware of the pressures facing OTs. However, this approach isn’t sustainable in the long-term if we want to continue to develop and deliver your membership services.
How do other professional organisations compare?
In this same three-year period during which we haven’t increased fees, others have, including the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Some organisations raise their fees every year.
Balancing fairness and financial sustainability
We understand that any changes to fees are a sensitive topic, especially during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Like all organisations, we face market pressures and have worked hard to balance financial sustainability with affordability, offering fairness through discounts and concessions to our membership.
We’re proposing changes to fees because:
- we want to continue providing excellent value and support through your membership, advocating on your behalf and raising the profile of OT, all while continuing to improve your benefits and services
- we aim for our membership fees to reflect the evolving occupational therapy workforce and to offer fairer options for members who are on parental leave
- we strive to make it easier and more accessible for early career OTs to stay connected and inspired with their profession
- we can’t continue to shield members from inflationary rises without it impacting our services.
As occupational therapists, Council is aware of the pressures many members are facing and how our membership can offer much needed support. We're responsible for the financial and long-term stability of our organisations and like others, we face the same market pressures. We had a long discussion and debated how we can balance our financial stability with fairness, to make our membership accessible - whilst also protecting our future.'
Odeth Richardson, Chair
Proposed changes to fees
After discussing and debating a range of options, Council recommend the changes below to fees to BAOT members, effective from 1 October 2025.
In summary, these changes would see an increase of £1.11 a month for Professional members and 15p a month for students. Reflecting on the challenges we know that newly registered members face, they would pay £1.77 less each month.
As well as the fees outlined above, Council also propose:
- a 30% discount for members taking parental leave for one year
- to increase the hardship fund up to £20,000 and widen access to support members struggling financially to stay connected with their profession.
What happens next?
Any changes to members’ fees need a vote of BAOT members, so we’ll be putting forward a resolution for members as part of our AGM. You can vote in person or by proxy. The AGM is free to attend for BAOT members and will take place at 4–5.30pm on Tuesday 17 June 2025 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Council is also putting forward a special resolution for members to vote on about changing the BAOT Articles of Association to strengthen our governance.
How to have your say
Voting options
All BAOT members will be invited to vote in response to the resolutions put forward. There are two ways you can cast your vote:
Vote in person
Join us at our AGM on Tuesday 17 June 2025 in Edinburgh and cast your vote in person.
Vote by proxy
Voting by proxy means appointing someone who is attending the AGM to vote on your behalf.
- Appoint the Chair as your proxy and to cast your vote on your behalf.
- Appoint someone else to attend the AGM in person and cast your vote on your behalf.
You can do this either online or by post. Details of how to vote by proxy are included in the form and will be emailed to you directly by Civica.
AGM notice, papers and proxy form
This year, you’ll find your:
- AGM notice in the May issue of OTnews which you’ll receive around 15 May 2025.
- AGM papers are available online
- Most members will receive your proxy form by email directly from Civica after 14 May 2025
- If you’ve opted out of emails from us, you’ll receive your proxy form in the post.
What happens at the AGM?
For the AGM to be valid (this is referred to as quorate), at least five members need to be present or have submitted valid votes by proxy. For changes to BAOT Articles of Association resolution to pass a majority vote of 75% is required. For changes to fees special resolution to pass, a majority vote of 50% is required. If this happens, the changes to fees would come into effect from 1 October 2025.