Lifelong Learning for Support Workers
The College of Occupational Therapists supports lifelong learning for all. Support workers in occupational therapy are valued members of the profession and the workplace team. Government initiatives, in particular the modernisation agenda, have resulted in support workers being required to develop in their roles supported by relevant education and development opportunities.
National Framework for Support Worker Education & Development - now available!
FAQs - National Framework for Support Worker Education & Development
The National Framework for Support Worker Education & Development FAQs (28KB 
*)
Support workers equally need to participate in continuing professional development (CPD), as do occupational therapists. CPD activity helps to maintain and improve competency levels for one's job.
The COT-CSP National Framework for Support Worker Education and Development is now available for download. It aims to guide support workers along in their lifelong learning journey. It will also assist managers, service providers, educators, and other interested stakeholders (e.g. strategic health authorities, UK government and regulators) about the education and development strategies and programmes for support workers, as well as the role of professional bodies in supporting and developing government and commissioners' workforce objectives.
The framework can be purchased for £10.00 by non-members and is free to members. Non-members can order a copy using the instructions found on the publications list.
A summary leaflet can be downloaded here:
Summary leaflet of the National framework for support worker education and development (261KB *)
CPD Portfolio
If you need help with putting together your CPD portfolio, please visit the CPD tools section.
Becoming a qualified OT
Are you interested in becoming a qualified occupational therapist?
You could enrol on a part-time 4-year inservice programme and continue to work as an OT support worker. For more information about various programmes and career pathways, go to OT as a Career.
CPD Courses
How can you find out about CPD courses or study days for support workers?
The BAOT/COT journal and monthly OT News publication advertises upcoming events held by COT as well as other course developers. As a member, you may belong to your local BAOT regional group, which also plans study days and events. The BAOT/COT specialist groups may also organise events and as a member, you would learn about these. Your employer and word of mouth are also excellent ways to learn about events. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!
*This document is in 'Portable Document Format' (PDF) which can be read using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you already have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your machine then the document will open automatically when you click on it. If it doesn't then click on the image to the right to obtain a free copy.
Access Adobe provides tools for converting PDF documents into other formats suitable for disabled users.
