Strengthening our governance
We have big ambitions for RCOT and the occupational therapy profession, and to be able to deliver on them, we need our governance to be fit for purpose and future-proof. We need our governance to be effective so that we’re a more responsive, focused and efficient organisation, able to deliver the greatest impact we possibly can.
Our governance has evolved over many years. As a result:
- there isn’t clear differentiation where there should be,
- some aspects are out of date or more complicated than needed,
- and we’re not as compliant as we should be.
Read more about why we need to change.
That’s why Council is reviewing our governance. Over the next few years, they’ll be looking at how we’re legally structured, and the processes, standards, rules, and practices that we follow. And they’ll be keeping members informed and involved at every stage.
Find out more
By strengthening our governance, our members can be confident that their professional body is fit for purpose, following good practice, and legally compliant, with the risk of regulatory intervention significantly reduced and best placed to make informed business decisions.
Improving and modernising our governance will help strengthen the impact we can have on the profession. Our review will enable our governing bodies and the management team to run BAOT and RCOT legally, ethically, sustainably and successfully, for the benefit of our members, staff, stakeholders, and for the good of wider society.
Our governance is more complex than some because we are made up of two separate but related organisations.
- British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) which is a trade union.
- RCOT is a registered charity and owned by BAOT.
We’re looking to create clearer separation between the two organisations and their roles and responsibilities so that the distinction is clear to all members.
Read more about our current governance structure.
Stage 1: Getting our house in order
This year, we’re focusing on updating our charity operating rules, so they’re fit for purpose and to improve how RCOT is run as an organisation and as a business.
To create a clearer distinction between the BAOT and RCOT governing bodies, we’re proposing to rename RCOT Council to RCOT Board of Trustees. To support our elected OT Trustee members, we want to bring in new additional roles in areas such as finance and marketing, to help them run the business aspects of the organisation.
We’ll be updating and modernising our current rules to simplify language and improve clarity, and ensure that we are fully compliant with current legal standards.
We’re also making some voting changes. In the past, we’ve put everything to members' vote. In the future, where it’s legally correct, BAOT Council will vote on changes to our operating rules (known as Articles of Association).
Read more about the proposed changes
Stage 2: Looking to the future
In the following years, we will be looking at the governance model that will best serve us in the future. This will include looking at our overall legal structure and how we can make it more effective, as well as the make-up of our governing bodies to see long term what roles, experience and knowledge are needed.