Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is a client-centered health profession focused on enabling individuals to participate in the activities of everyday life.
Occupational therapists help people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems including disability, illness, trauma, ageing, and a range of long-term conditions. They help people to regain independence in all areas of their lives and assist with barriers that may be causing problems in carrying out day-to-day activities.
Training
Osteopathy is one of the 14 allied health professions in the UK. You will need to complete an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy at university. Alternatively, you may be eligible to apply for a degree-level apprenticeship, or could complete a postgraduate conversion course if you already have a degree in another relevant subject.
Regulation
Once qualified, in order to practise, you will need to register with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), a professional regulator overseen by the Professional Standards Authority.
The title 'osteopath' is protected by law. It is against the law for anyone to call themselves an osteopath unless they are registered with the GOsC.
Professional bodies
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is the trade union and professional body for occupational therapists in the UK.
Alternatively, you may want to join the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).