Group 1: Excellence in Occupational Therapy Practice

1 Excellence in Children, Young People & Families
2 Excellence in Later Life & Healthy Ageing
3 Excellence in Mental Health & Wellbeing
4 Excellence in Neurological Practice
5 Excellence in Learning Disability Practice
6 Excellence in Rehabilitation, Reablement & Long-term Conditions
7 Excellence in Housing, Adaptations & Independent Living
8 Excellence in Vocational Rehabilitation & Work
9 Excellence in Community & Preventative Practice

 

Group 2: Innovation, Impact & Collaboration

10 Excellence in OT Innovation
11 Excellence in Multidisciplinary & Integrated Working
12 Excellence in Digital, Technology & AI Practice
13 Excellence in Research, Evidence & Impact
14 Excellence in Sustainability & Social Value

 

Group 3: People, Education & the Profession

15 Rising Star in Occupational Therapy
16 Excellence in Workforce Development & Professional Learning
17 Outstanding Employer for Occupational Therapy
18 Excellence in OT Education
19 Excellence in Practice-Based Learning & Education Partnership

 

Group 4: Products, Mobility, Technology & Professional Support

21 Excellence in Mobility, Equipment & Assistive Products
22 Excellence in Digital & Assistive Technology
23 Excellence in Professional Services & Support

 

Gold Awards

24 Occupational Therapist of the Year — Gold
25 Outstanding OT Team or Service — Gold
26 Outstanding Independent OT Practice — Gold

 

Categories & Judging Guidance

The OT Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievement across occupational therapy — recognising practitioners, teams and services, education and research, multidisciplinary initiatives, and the businesses and organisations that support the profession.

There are 22 main categories open for entry, together with three Gold Awards recognising outstanding individual, team/service and independent-practice excellence. In any category, the judges have discretion to recognise more than one winner where the strength and nature of the entries justify it — for example, an occupational therapy winner alongside a university or supplier winner. It is expected, however, that suppliers will for the most part enter the categories in Group 4 — Products, Mobility, Technology & Professional Support.

Entrants wishing to enter a Gold Award must also enter at least one of the 22 main categories. Gold Awards cannot be entered on their own.

Group 1: Excellence in Occupational Therapy Practice

These categories recognise outstanding occupational therapy practice across different areas of need, settings and stages of life.

What the judges will be looking for

Across this group, judges will consider:

• a clearly identified need or challenge and an appropriate occupational therapy response;
• person-centred, inclusive and evidence-informed practice;
• evidence that the work is occupation-centred and enables people to participate in the activities, roles and routines that matter to them;
• the distinctive contribution of occupational therapy;
• measurable or demonstrable improvements in participation, independence, wellbeing or quality of life;
• innovation or improvement where relevant;
• effective and appropriate use of resources;
• learning that could inform or inspire wider occupational therapy practice.

Entries may come from individual practitioners, teams, services, independent practices or multidisciplinary initiatives in which occupational therapy makes a significant contribution.

1. Excellence in Children, Young People & Families

Recognising outstanding occupational therapy that improves participation, independence, development and quality of life for children and young people, while appropriately supporting their families and carers.

Entries may relate to health, education, social care, community or independent practice and may involve individual interventions, services or wider programmes.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will particularly consider how the work has enabled the child or young person to participate more fully in the activities and environments that matter to them, and how their individual circumstances and family context have informed the approach.

2 Excellence in Later Life & Healthy Ageing

Recognising outstanding occupational therapy that enables older people to maintain or improve independence, participation, wellbeing and quality of life.

Entries may include preventative work, rehabilitation, community initiatives, adaptations, support following illness or changing needs, or innovative approaches to enabling people to live well in later life.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look particularly for evidence that the intervention has enabled meaningful occupation, independence and choice rather than simply managing age-related needs.

3 Excellence in Mental Health & Wellbeing

For outstanding occupational therapy supporting mental health, recovery, participation, independence and wellbeing.

Entries are welcomed from the full range of mental-health settings and may concern individuals, groups, communities or services.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for evidence of the relationship between meaningful occupation and improved mental health or wellbeing, together with the person’s participation in shaping their own goals and outcomes.

4 Excellence in Neurological Practice

Recognising outstanding occupational therapy supporting people living with neurological conditions, injuries or impairments to achieve greater independence, participation and quality of life.

Entries may encompass acute, rehabilitation, community, long-term or independent settings.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will consider how effectively the approach responds to the complexity of neurological needs while maintaining a clear focus on meaningful occupation and individual goals.

5 Excellence in Learning Disability Practice

Recognising occupational therapy that enables people with learning disabilities to participate more fully in everyday life, develop independence and achieve outcomes that matter to them.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will particularly value evidence of genuinely person-centred practice, inclusion, participation, appropriate adaptation and the removal of barriers to everyday occupation.

6 Excellence in Rehabilitation, Reablement & Long-term Conditions

Recognising outstanding occupational therapy that enables people to recover, adapt, maintain or regain independence and participate in everyday life following illness or injury, or while living with long-term or complex conditions.

Entries may relate to rehabilitation, reablement, self-management, discharge, community support or longer-term approaches to maintaining independence.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for evidence of meaningful functional improvement, increased independence or successful adaptation, together with outcomes that are sustainable beyond the immediate intervention.

7 Excellence in Housing, Adaptations & Independent Living

For outstanding occupational therapy involving housing, adaptations, accessibility and environmental solutions that enable people to live safely and independently.

Entries may include major or minor adaptations, housing solutions, accessibility initiatives, environmental assessment or innovative approaches to independent living.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will consider the appropriateness and creativity of the solution, the involvement of the person receiving support and evidence that the outcome has materially improved independence, safety, participation or quality of life.

8 Excellence in Vocational Rehabilitation & Work

Recognising occupational therapy that enables people to enter, remain in or return to employment, education or meaningful vocational activity.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for evidence of sustainable outcomes and an understanding of both the individual’s occupational needs and the practical demands of the workplace, educational setting or vocational environment.

9 Excellence in Community & Preventative Practice

For outstanding occupational therapy delivered in or through communities, including prevention, early intervention and initiatives that enable people to remain independent and participate in everyday life.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will particularly value evidence of prevention or earlier intervention, reach into the community, demonstrable impact and approaches capable of reducing or delaying the need for more intensive support.

Group 2: Innovation, Impact & Collaboration

These categories recognise work that advances occupational therapy through new thinking, collaboration, technology, evidence and responsible practice.

What the judges will be looking for

Across this group, judges will consider:

• a clearly identified problem, opportunity or need;
• an approach that goes beyond routine good practice;
• evidence of implementation rather than an idea alone;
• demonstrable outcomes or impact;
• appropriate involvement of people who access occupational therapy services and other stakeholders;
• learning, transferability or potential for wider application;
• a clear and meaningful contribution from occupational therapy.

10 Excellence in OT Innovation

Recognising an innovative intervention, service, approach or way of working that advances occupational therapy and delivers demonstrable benefits.

Innovation need not mean technology. Entries may concern professional practice, service design, processes, delivery models or entirely new approaches.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will consider what is genuinely new or significantly improved, why the innovation was needed, how successfully it has been implemented and what difference it has made.

11 Excellence in Multidisciplinary & Integrated Working

Recognising outstanding collaboration in which occupational therapy makes a significant contribution alongside other professions, services or organisations to achieve better outcomes.

Entries may involve physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, nursing, medicine, social care, education, housing, voluntary organisations or other relevant disciplines and partners.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for genuine integration rather than simply several professions or organisations working alongside one another. Entries should demonstrate what collaboration achieved that could not have been achieved as effectively in isolation.

12 Excellence in Digital, Technology & AI Practice

For outstanding use or co-design of digital technology, artificial intelligence, data or digital resources to enhance occupational therapy practice, services or outcomes.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look beyond the technology itself to its purpose, responsible application, accessibility and demonstrable benefit. Entries should show how technology has enhanced rather than simply digitised existing practice.

13 Excellence in Research, Evidence & Impact

Recognising research, evaluation or evidence-informed practice that advances occupational therapy, improves outcomes or demonstrates the value and impact of the profession.

Entries are welcomed from practitioners, services, universities, researchers and collaborative partnerships.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will consider the quality and relevance of the evidence, the significance of the findings and, particularly, how the research or evaluation has influenced, or has the potential to influence, practice and outcomes.

14 Excellence in Sustainability & Social Value

Recognising occupational therapy initiatives that demonstrate environmental responsibility, sustainable practice or wider social value while improving outcomes for people and communities.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for tangible rather than aspirational benefits and evidence that sustainability or social value is integrated with good occupational therapy practice rather than being an unrelated addition.

Group 3: People, Education & the Profession

These categories recognise emerging talent and the organisations, educational initiatives and workforce programmes that strengthen occupational therapy and develop its future.

What the judges will be looking for

Across this group, judges will consider:

• clear evidence of achievement and impact;
• commitment to occupational therapy and its professional values;
• development and support of people;
• inclusion, opportunity and wellbeing;
• leadership appropriate to the entrant’s role and circumstances;
• evidence of learning and continuous improvement;
• lasting contribution to the profession or future workforce.

15 Rising Star in Occupational Therapy

Presented by OT Today

Recognising an outstanding occupational therapist under 30 years of age who is already demonstrating exceptional achievement, potential and positive impact.

Eligibility: Entrants must be under 30 years of age on the closing date for entries.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will take account of career stage and opportunity and will look particularly for:

• achievement beyond what might normally be expected at that stage of a career;
• initiative, enthusiasm and commitment to occupational therapy;
• demonstrable positive impact on people, services or practice;
• willingness to learn, develop and contribute;
• the ability to inspire or positively influence others;
• clear potential to make a significant future contribution to occupational therapy.

16 Excellence in Workforce Development & Professional Learning

Recognising outstanding approaches to developing the occupational therapy workforce through recruitment, retention, supervision, mentoring, learning, CPD, career development or other workforce initiatives.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for evidence that the initiative has produced meaningful improvement in workforce capability, experience, retention, progression or professional practice.

17 Outstanding Employer for Occupational Therapy

Recognising an organisation that provides an outstanding environment in which occupational therapists can flourish.

Entries may come from NHS organisations, local authorities, independent organisations, charities and other employers of occupational therapists.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will consider:

• leadership and recognition of occupational therapy’s professional identity;
• professional support and supervision;
• learning, development and career opportunities;
• support for newly qualified and early-career occupational therapists;
• inclusion and wellbeing;
•opportunities for occupational therapists to develop, innovate and influence;
• evidence that occupational therapists are enabled to do their best work.

Judges will assess achievement relative to the organisation’s circumstances rather than simply rewarding size or resources.

18 Excellence in OT Education

Recognising a university, college or education provider demonstrating outstanding quality, innovation and outcomes in occupational therapy education and the development of the future workforce.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for occupation-centred and inclusive education, high-quality learning, responsiveness to contemporary practice, student development, innovation where appropriate and evidence that learners are being prepared effectively for occupational therapy practice.

19 Excellence in Practice-Based Learning & Education Partnership

Recognising outstanding collaboration between education and practice that provides high-quality learning experiences and helps prepare occupational therapy students and learners for their future careers.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for genuine partnership, high-quality learner experience, effective integration of academic and practical learning and demonstrable benefit to learners, practice partners and, where appropriate, people who access occupational therapy services.

Group 4: Products, Mobility, Technology & Professional Support

These categories recognise businesses and organisations whose products, technologies and professional services support occupational therapy and enable better outcomes.

What the judges will be looking for

Across this group, judges will consider:

• a clear understanding of occupational therapy and the needs of practitioners or the people they support;
• quality, effectiveness and fitness for purpose;
• innovation or meaningful improvement where relevant;
• accessibility, usability and good design;
• evidence of benefit or positive outcomes;
• strong service and support;
• appropriate involvement of occupational therapists or users in development, evaluation or delivery.

20 Excellence in Mobility, Equipment & Assistive Products

Recognising outstanding mobility, seating, rehabilitation, assistive or daily-living products and equipment that enhance independence, participation, safety or occupational performance.

Entries are welcomed from manufacturers, designers, developers and suppliers serving occupational therapy and related markets.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will consider design and usability, appropriateness for the intended user, evidence of benefit, involvement of practitioners or users and the quality of support surrounding the product.

21 Excellence in Digital & Assistive Technology

Recognising outstanding software, telecare, digital solutions, assistive technology or related technological innovation that supports occupational therapy professionals or improves outcomes for the people they serve.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will consider usability, accessibility, evidence of effectiveness, responsible use of technology and the extent to which the solution addresses a genuine need rather than introducing technology for its own sake.

22 Excellence in Professional Services & Support

Recognising outstanding professional or business services supporting occupational therapy, including recruitment, consultancy, specialist training and other services that help OT professionals, practices and organisations succeed.

Category-specific emphasis: Judges will look for specialist understanding of occupational therapy, quality of service, responsiveness, demonstrable client benefit and evidence that the service adds genuine value to occupational therapy organisations or professionals.

 

Gold Awards

The three Gold Awards recognise the highest levels of excellence across the OT Excellence Awards at individual, team/service and independent-practice level.

Gold Awards differ from the 22 main categories because they recognise the overall quality, achievement and impact of the entrant rather than one particular project, intervention or area of work.

Gold Award eligibility

A Gold Award cannot be entered on its own.

An entrant wishing to compete for a Gold Award must also submit an entry into at least one of the 22 main categories.

The main-category entry provides evidence of achievement. The Gold entry allows the entrant to make the broader case for why the individual, team/service or independent practice represents outstanding occupational therapy excellence.

Judges will expect Gold entrants to demonstrate sustained excellence and compelling evidence of achievement. Simply meeting the normal expectations of a role, service or practice will not be sufficient.

23. Gold — Occupational Therapist of the Year

Recognising an exceptional occupational therapist whose professional practice, achievement, leadership and impact exemplify excellence in occupational therapy.

The entrant must also be entered into at least one relevant main category.

What the judges will be looking for

Judges will consider:

• exceptional professional achievement;
• demonstrable impact on people, services or occupational therapy practice;
• leadership and influence, whether formal or informal;
• commitment to high-quality, person-centred and occupation-centred practice;
• evidence of going substantially beyond normal expectations;
• contribution to colleagues, the profession or wider practice;
• a compelling body of evidence supporting the claim to be an outstanding occupational therapist.

24. Gold — Outstanding OT Team or Service

Recognising an exceptional occupational therapy team, department or service demonstrating sustained excellence, outstanding outcomes and significant impact.

The team or service must also enter at least one relevant main category.

What the judges will be looking for

Judges will consider:

• consistently outstanding occupational therapy practice;
• strong evidence of outcomes and impact;
• teamwork, culture and leadership;
• innovation and continuous improvement;
• effective use of skills and resources;
• contribution beyond the team’s immediate remit where relevant;
• evidence that the team or service represents an outstanding example of occupational therapy in practice.

Judging will take account of the team’s size, resources and circumstances so that smaller teams can compete credibly with large departments and services.

25. Gold — Outstanding Independent OT Practice

Recognising an exceptional independent occupational therapy practice demonstrating outstanding professional practice, client outcomes, service, innovation and impact.

The practice must also enter at least one relevant main category.

What the judges will be looking for

Judges will consider:

• consistently high standards of occupational therapy practice;
• demonstrable outcomes for clients;
• quality and responsiveness of service;
• professional integrity and person-centred, occupation-centred practice;
• innovation and development;
• sustainable development of the practice;
• contribution to occupational therapy or the communities it serves;
• evidence that the practice represents an outstanding example of independent occupational therapy.

Judges will assess achievement relative to the scale and circumstances of the practice, ensuring that sole practitioners and small practices can compete fairly alongside larger independent organisations.