1. BAOT/COT
Induction
Facilitated by
Lee Roach, Membership Development Manager
Louise Cusack, Specialist Section Manager

2. The context of today
• Introduce and answer questions of the organisation
• Provide a consistent understanding of the structure
and role
• Support good practice for the members who
volunteer within the organisation
• Support members to engage and meet other
members
• Explain the diversity of the roles responsibilities
within BAOT/COT
• Support your own development (CPD)
• Update you on where the organisation is

3. The British Association of Occupational Therapists
• Professional Body and Trade Union for occupational
therapy staff in the UK
• The Council of BAOT is made up of members of the
BAOT and takes decisions about the
management, direction and functioning of the
organisation

4. The College of
Occupational Therapists
•A registered educational charity (Trustees)
•Is a subsidiary of the BAOT
•Staff/Officers are employed to provide the membership benefits
you receive
•The Council of BAOT/COT takes decisions about the management,
direction and functioning of the organisation
•As members of BAOT you can influence the work of carried out by
staff at COT

5. Why be a member of a professional body?
A Membership Run by Members for
Organisation Members A ‘Governing’
Providing Body
Services for
Members Setting
(Professional Educational
Indemnity, Requirements
Badges, for Entry
Journals)
Setting
Standards for
Trade Union Practice
Services Political Lobbying
Promoting Occupational Therapy and the Profession

6. How are decisions
made within BAOT?
• Council–20 members who are Directors of
BAOT and Trustees of COT UK wide - Jo
Griffin Council Member Wales
• Boards (Country and Functional)
• Sub committees
• Projects groups
• Time limited working groups
• Policy working groups
• Commissioned work
• Case study

7. Education and
Learning
Careers
Finance/Human Students
Membership and External
Resources Pre and post Affairs
Finance qualifying BJOT
Facilities HEI OTNews
Membership Website
Administration Union services
IT and HR Membership services
BAOT/COT
Marketing
Structure
Communication Research and
Development
Publications
Library
Marketing literature
UKOT Research
Branding Foundation
Events Awards
Professional
Practice
Practice Enquiry line
Chief Publications
Executive and Specialist Sections
Secretariat
UK Policy
Council support
Consultancy Service
Company Secretariat

8. How you formally influence the
organisation

9. How informally influence the
organisation
• An article for OTN/BJOT or website
• Twitter/ Facebook/LinkedIn
• Write for Specialist Sections newsletter
• Assist with a study day/support an event
• Write for publication- Practice Publications Group
• Participate in audit/surveys/research
• Become a reviewer/expert for the COT Consultancy Service
• Participate in UK national guideline development
• Take an active part in a Specialist Sections and/or a BAOT local
groups
• Promote OT
• Comment, feedback, email, write letters, join in discussion forums
and web articles, many more………

10. Specialist Sections are a group
of Occupational Therapists
and support staff with a
common practice interest.
They are known as a
Specialist Section, a Branch of
the College of Occupational
Therapists.

11. Specialist Sections provide...
Exclusive practice guidance
News and information, newsletters and e-news
Networking
CPD /Professional development/HPC requirements
Learning events
Specialist Forums/Clinical Forums/ Regional Groups
Facilitate knowledge transfer
Build capacity and knowledge
Share knowledge, information and best practice
Influence, develop and support national policy
Peace of mind

12. Scottish
Scottish Northern
Western and
Eastern
4 countries
Northern
Northern
and
12 BAOT regions
Ireland
Yorkshire 100 BAOT local
groups
North West Trent
West Midlands Eastern
Wales London
South East
South West

13. Resources available to you
CPD TOOLS
• COT website – www.cot.org.uk
• ILOD - Interactive Learning Opportunities Database
• Career History (CV) and Current Job Description
• Personal Development Plan (PDP) and most current
Performance Appraisal
• Reflection Logs
• Sample Achievements of Learning (e.g. research
paper, improved client outcomes in practice, design of
new rehabilitation programme)
• Other (e.g. course certificates; letters from
users, carers, colleagues, etc)

14. Practical Resources
• Professional examples: Professional enquiries line
0207450 2330,
• Publicity example: OTnews, BJOT,
• COT facilities: (for BA/COT groups only) room booking
• Library facilities: current awareness bulletins, archiving
journals
• Web team: website
construction, updates, changes, expert advice
• Financial support: research grants
• Support for committee and project work: funding for local
group events

17. Questions?
• Phone, email, write to us
• http://www.cot.org.uk/committee-resources/committee-
resources for more information and resources

18. Feedback
Louise Cusack louise.cusack@cot.co.uk
or Lee Roach lee.roach@cot.co.uk