Local authority leaders have called on the Government to invest in council-employed occupational therapists (OTs) to improve health, care, and prevention strategy outcomes.
There are currently only 3,200 OTs employed by councils across England – or 7% of the total OT workforce –, a figure that has remained unchanged since 2020.
In a new report, titled Occupational Therapists in Councils: Unlocking Capacity and Driving Change, the Local Government Association (LGA) argues that the contribution of Ots, particularly in prevention and community-based care, remains ‘underutilised.’
Cllr David Fothergill, chair of the LGA’s Community and Wellbeing Board, said: ‘We all want to live in the place we call home, with the people and things we love, doing the things that matter to us. Occupational therapists help make that possible.
‘But too many people are missing out. Councils don’t have the funding to grow and retain the OT workforce they need – or to compete with the NHS on pay and conditions.’
Karin Orman, director of Practice and Innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, added: ‘If the Government is serious about transforming care and supporting people to live independently in the community, then the upcoming Spending Review is the moment to act.
‘Councils urgently need more funding to grow and keep this vital workforce. Pay and working conditions must match those in the NHS so councils can recruit and retain staff.’
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