Menu Log in Search Search You are here HomeAbout usAbout Specialist Sections In this section About Specialist Sections Specialist Sections are branches of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) that provide professional direction and leadership for occupational therapists working in specialist areas of practice. Branch Events - Update As a result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic RCOT Branches (Regions and Specialist Sections) are facilitating face-to-face events for the remainder of 2021. Branch events and any meetings that would usually be held at RCOT- will continue to be held virtual until this is reviewed in January 2022 when a further update will be provided. Some Regions Committees and Specialist Section NECs may chose to host a face-to-face committee meeting, at a hired venue. Please get in touch with your Branch for details on their meetings for 2021. Please note if branches choose to meet face to face they will have considered all local and national government guidelines and will follow any safe guarding criteria form the host venue. RCOT will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow advice of the four UK governments. Throughout these challenging times the Regions continue to support, promote and facilitate networking and learning through virtual meetings. They are also, sharing news, resources and best practice through regular e-newsletters and via Twitter. Please take advantage of these opportunities to support your professional development and learning. If you need any general support or advice from RCOT then do remember to get in touch with the Professional Enquiry Service on 0203 141 4630 or email professional.enquiries@rcot.co.uk Learn more about Specialist Sections with our induction event on the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional Networks. It provides key RCOT activists with an introduction to the organisation of RCOT, its roles and functions. It equips members with the tools to lead within their designated roles and is essential training for all new RCOT Regional and Specialist Section committee members. Inductions 2021-22 This essential training is for all new and existing elected RCOT Board and Branch Committee members. There are three sessions as part of this training. Members must attend session 1 to attending session 2 or 3. All Branch committee members must complete this training at least once every 3 years. Specialist Sections Specialist Sections are branches of RCOT that provide professional direction and leadership for occupational therapists working in specialist areas of practice. They share information, network and promote good practice. Aims of the Specialist Sections: Raise awareness and promote the development of knowledge and skills Promote and enable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and networking Promote research and support the use of evidence to inform practice Support members within their area of practice Function as a resource to provide expertise at national a level. Act as advisors and influencers for and on behalf of the profession and the Royal College. Why join a Specialist Section? Gain access to a UK-wide network of occupational therapists working in your specialist area and opportunities to meet like-minded people Obtain expert professional knowledge and resources to support you in practice Receive up-to-date news via newsletters, bulletins, social media, website and journals Attend conferences, learning events and study days for professional development Obtain reduced Specialist Section membership rates for learning events Access grants for research, professional development and events Get information and advice from free publications dedicated to your area of practice, including briefings, evidence-based guidelines, advice, best practice information, research Participate in the Specialist Sections Clinical Forums, which are dedicated, speciality sub-groups providing support, networking, clinical leadership and lobbying Get involved with policy, practice, strategy, briefings, develop practice guidelines and leadership skills Which Specialist Section to choose? Also read our briefing which contains information and guidance to support the Specialist Section National Executive Committees. Get involved Join a Specialist Section to support your CPD Increase your knowledge Share and develop your Practice Network with like-minded colleagues Follow your Specialist Section on Twitter for more information and resources. Specialist Section - Children, Young People and Families: @RCOT_CYPF Specialist Section - Housing @RCOT_Housing Specialist Section - Independent Practice @RCOT_IP Specialist Section - Major Health Conditions @RCOTMajorHealth Specialist Section - Mental Health @RCOT_MH Specialist Section - Neurological Practice @RCOT_NP Specialist Section - Older People @RCOT_OP Specialist Section - People with Learning Disabilities @RCOT_PLD Specialist Section - Trauma and Musculoskeletal Health @RCOT_TMH Specialist Section - Work @RCOT_Work Frequently Asked Questions Who can join a Specialist Section? All Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) members can be members of the Specialist Sections. Do I have to be a member of RCOT to be a member of a Specialist Section? Yes, from 2008 and in agreement with all the Specialist Sections, you have to be a RCOT member in order to gain the benefits of the Specialist Section activities. Can a student join a Specialist Section? Yes and we would like to encourage more students to join. There are reduced rates for student members. How much does it cost? There is an annual fee to join a Specialist Section, but they do vary. You can claim tax relief on 75% of your RCOT fees if you are a UK tax payer and some cost as little as £3 a month. Can I belong to more than one Specialist Section? Yes, you can belong to as many Specialist Sections as you want. How do I join? You need to visit the respective, individual Specialist Sections web page you wish to join and then complete a membership form for that Specialist Section; there are a couple that you are able to join online. How does RCOT support the Specialist Sections? RCOT aims to ensure that all members who are involved in the Specialist Section activities have the support they need to make these branches work and function effectively. The Royal College meets twice a year with all the Specialist Sections to support and facilitate communication, debate, influence, development of policy and information exchange between RCOT and the Specialist Sections. Are there criteria for setting up a Specialist Section? Yes, there is set criteria for developing a Specialist Section. If you belong to a network, group or forum that may have been established and running for several years, you can contact the UK Regional and Specialist Section Manager to consider what options may be available to develop the group. There may be a number of options available to the group, one of which may be to become a sub-group of a Specialist Section. UPCOMING EVENTS Download Which Specialist Section is right for you? (PDF, 631.34KB) RCOT SS - Children, Young People and Families leaflet (PDF, 387.72KB) RCOT SS - Oncology and Palliative Care leaflet (PDF, 395.44KB) RCOT SS - Housing leaflet (PDF, 368.82KB) RCOT SS - Independent Practice leaflet (PDF, 419.55KB) RCOT SS - Mental Health leaflet (PDF, 420.09KB) RCOT SS - Neurological Practice leaflet (PDF, 452.54KB) RCOT SS - Older People leaflet (PDF, 412.22KB) RCOT SS - People with Learning Disabilities leaflet (PDF, 381.84KB) RCOT SS - Work leaflet (PDF, 438.01KB) Share Occupational therapy jobs Website terms and conditions Privacy Policy RCOT and GDPR Compliments and complaints Get in touch Royal College of Occupational Therapists 106-114 Borough High Street London SE1 1LB T: 020 3141 4600 Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter YouTube The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (or 'RCOT') is a registered charity in England and Wales (275119) and in Scotland (SCO39573) and a company registered in England (No. 1347374). VAT Reg. 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