Occupational Therapy Diploma with Free Certificate

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a health and social care profession focused on helping people of all ages overcome challenges with everyday activities — like dressing, eating, working, learning, or socialising — so they can live more independently and improve wellbeing. OT supports physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional needs using practical, person-centred approaches.

People of all ages can benefit — from children with developmental needs to adults recovering from injury, illness, disability or managing long-term health conditions. OT can help with physical disabilities, mental health issues, learning difficulties, older-age support, or adapting to life changes.

You can access OT through the NHS by asking your GP or another health/social care professional for a referral. Some local councils also provide OT through social services. Alternatively, you can choose private OT services at your own cost. All qualified OTs in the UK are regulated by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).

An OT will assess your daily activities and environment, then work with you to set goals and use strategies or tools to make tasks easier and more meaningful. This could involve home adaptations, assistive equipment, task-retraining, cognitive strategies, or lifestyle adjustments tailored to your needs.

Although both support rehabilitation, OT focuses on enabling everyday activities and participation in life roles (self-care, work, leisure), while physiotherapy focuses more on movement, physical function and mobility through specific physical exercises and techniques. Occupational therapists take a broader look at how tasks are done and adapt the environment or approach.