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Occupational therapy support worker
Hours
37.5 per week
Starting salary
£13,600 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
As an occupational therapy support worker, or rehabilitation assistant, you would work with occupational therapists to help clients manage their daily activities and live as independently as possible. Clients may have mental, physical or social difficulties resulting from illness, an accident or the ageing process.
An occupational therapist would assess a client's needs and look at ways for them to adapt or improve their situation. Your role as a support worker would be to help clients with their rehabilitation, encourage them to think positively and work towards agreed goals. You would monitor and document their progress and provide regular feedback to qualified therapists. You could work with individuals or groups.
Examples of how you would work with clients include:
- supporting people with mental health issues to create a daily routine and take part in activities outside the home
- assisting children with physical disabilities to enjoy play activities
- helping people who have had a stroke or been in an accident to adjust to their disability
- showing an older person how to use equipment to help them continue to carry out normal daily activities and remain living independently.
Your duties could also include checking that equipment, like walking frames, are available and in good working order, and keeping a record of items in stock.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work around 37.5 hours a week. Part-time hours and job share opportunities are also often available.
You could be based in a hospital, day centre or residential home, or in the community, visiting clients in their own home.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Support workers can earn between £13,600 and £18,500 a year
- With experience this can rise to around £21,500 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You may not need any specific qualifications to become an occupational therapy support worker. However, you will usually need a good general standard of education. Some employers may prefer you to have four or more GCSEs (A-C) including maths, English and a science subject.
It could be an advantage to have some relevant paid or voluntary experience. Contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for further advice.
Another way to get experience of this work is through an Apprenticeship. Schemes vary between NHS Trusts, and in a few places they may still be referred to as Cadet Schemes. They usually include clinical placements and study towards a qualification like the new Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
You could also contact your local NHS Trust for details of schemes in your area.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once working, you may be able to take an NVQ level 3 in Health: Allied Health Profession Support (Occupational Therapy).
A new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is being introduced and by 2011 at the latest, it's expected that all new learners will be registered for qualifications on the new framework. For this area, NVQs will be replaced with new vocational qualifications, which are expected to include a level 2 and 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support, or a Level 3 Diploma in Allied Health Profession Support (subject titles are to be confirmed; course providers and employers can give further advice).
With experience, you may be able to study part-time for an occupational therapy degree (check with your employer for details). The Health Professions Council website has a list of full- and part-time degree courses.
Alternatively, you could apply for an assistant practitioner post and study for a foundation degree in a subject such as health and social care, or assisting professional practice. With this qualification you may be able to join year two of a degree leading to registration as an occupational therapist (which could be part of a secondment, with financial support from your employer). Check with individual course providers for exact entry requirements.
You could register as an associate member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), which would give you access to a range of professional development opportunities. For more details on all aspects of occupational therapy, check the BAOT website and Occupational Therapist job profile.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be an occupational therapy support worker you will need to have:
- the ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds
- patience and empathy
- good communication and listening skills
- the ability to encourage people who may be frustrated at their rate of progress
- confidence and enthusiasm for times when work with clients does not have a positive result
- good time management skills and the ability to help clients organise their time
- practical skills, perhaps in cookery, woodwork or pottery
- the ability to keep clear, accurate records
- good teamworking skills, and the ability to work alone.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
NHS Careers 
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Skills for Health
Goldsmiths House
Broad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
www.skillsforhealth.org.uk
British Association of Occupational Therapists/College of Occupational Therapists
106-114 Borough High Street
Southwark
London
SE1 1LB
Tel: 020 7450 2332 (Careers Info)
www.cot.co.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs within the NHS and in local authorities. You could also work in the private healthcare sector and with voluntary and charitable organisations.
With experience (and support from your employer), you may get the chance to work towards becoming a qualified occupational therapist. This involves completing a four-year in-service training programme, leading to registration as an occupational therapist. The BAOT has further details and a list of course providers.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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