The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is delighted to announce that the degree apprenticeship standard for occupational therapy has been approved as ready for delivery by the institute for Apprenticeships. This approval opens up a new pathway to train occupational therapists in England.
RCOT was part of the trailblazer group to develop the pathway and has ensured the highest quality and standards are embedded throughout the standard and the associated end point assessment plan .
RCOT Chief Executive Julia Scott says, “Approval of the standard for degree apprenticeships in occupational therapy is hugely significant to our work to promote and secure a flourishing future for occupational therapy. Offering a variety of pathways to an occupational therapy career ensures a diverse and sustainable occupational therapy workforce, which will ultimately benefit UK citizens and their families. Given the government’s likely focus on person-centred care in the imminent NHS ten year plan, occupational therapy will play a key role in its delivery and the demand for our services will be high. This approval is a key step in ensuring we have a workforce fit for the future of health and social care.”
Assistant Director - Education and Research, Dr Jo Watson added: “The pre-registration education team at RCOT have worked closely from the outset with the Trailblazer group and the Institute for Apprentices to develop this excellent standard for degree apprenticeships in occupational therapy. RCOT’s role has been, and will continue to be, to ensure that our standards and expectations of high quality pre-registration training are upheld regardless of the entry route an individual takes to qualifying as an occupational therapist”
Now that the apprenticeship has been approved, the process of implementation by organisations who intend to deliver this route into the profession can begin. If you are interested in finding out more, please approach your local employers, for example, NHS Trusts or Social Care Services.