How COT influences governments across the UK

Work with the College to influence government policies across the UK

Government policies affect all our lives. Health, community care, education and housing policies have particular impact on occupational therapists and their clients. You can help shape government policies by:

• giving us your views to inform the College’s response to consultations
• responding to College requests for member representatives for government groups e.g. reference groups, steering groups, All Party Parliamentary groups
• informing us about the impact of legislation and policy on your practice

The College is working to become a key non-governmental organisation in health and social care

We are lobbying decision makers and opinion formers to raise the profile of occupational therapy and the profession within Westminster and devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The College is increasingly recognised as the authority on occupation and its impact on health and wellbeing. In order to influence public policies we:

• raise the views and interests of members and the College to policy makers
• promote the need for high quality occupational therapy
  
• raise awareness of key policies to members
• support members to influence policy
• analyse the impact of policy proposals on occupational therapists and their clients
  
• provide briefings to politicians, members  and government bodies
  
• consult with our members and others on key issues
  
• respond to government consultations
  
• form alliances with like-minded organisations who have common aims, such as the Allied Health Professions Forum, and the Allied Health Professions Forum Scotland
  
• work with the Welsh Therapies Advisory committee
  
• meet with government ministers, provide evidence to parliamentary and assembly committees and brief senior civil servants
• work with the media
• produce an occupational therapy manifesto for parliamentary and assembly elections
• put forward key messages at party political conferences across the UK
• run campaigns to influence policy and  legislation
  

To find out how you can get involved contact:
Scotland Elizabeth.MacDonald@cot.co.uk
Wales Ruth.Crowder@cot.co.uk
Northern Ireland Kate.Lesslar@cot.co.uk
England Helen.Williams@cot.co.uk  
UK Helen.Williams@cot.co.uk