Menu Log in Search Search You are here HomeAbout usOur history In this section Our history Key dates in the history of the British Association and Royal College of Occupational Therapists 1932 The Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists (SAOT) is founded. 1936 The Association of Occupational Therapists (AOT) is founded for England, Wales, Northern Ireland. 1938 AOT offers the first diploma examinations for occupational therapy in England the AOT journal "Occupational Therapy" is launched. 1945 AOT sets up its first office in Brompton Road, London. 1948 The NHS is established and AOT and SAOT appoint representatives to the Whitley Council to negotiate national pay and conditions for NHS occupational therapists. 1954 SAOT establishes its first office in George Street, Edinburgh. 1969 A referendum shows the membership of AOT and SAOT in favour of a merger. 1974 The British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) is formed from a merger of AOT and SAOT. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy is launched. 1978 BAOT becomes a registered trade union in line with members' wishes and sets up the College of Occupational Therapists (COT), a registered charity, to deal with the professional, educational and research business of the organisation. 1986 HRH The Princess Royal becomes Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists. 1993 BAOT members vote to contract with UNISON for trade union services. 1998 BAOT/COT moves into its current headquarters building in Borough High Street, London. 1999 Devolution leads to the establishment of Country Boards for the four countries and Policy Officer roles for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 2007 The United Kingdom Occupational Therapy Research Foundation (UKOTRF) launched 2011 The “official” opening of the refurbished College of Occupational Therapists’ headquarters in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists 2016 COT celebrates: 40th Annual Conference and Exhibition, 30 years of HRH The Princess Royal as COT Patron, 10 years of Julia Scott as CEO. 2017 HM The Queen grants COT a Royal charter to become the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. 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. No. 242 7829 47. © Copyright 2019 Royal College of Occupational Therapists. All rights reserved. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy policy. You can change your cookies settings at any time through your browser settings. OK, I agree