The countdown to the Occupational Therapy Show 2026 is on, and we're excited to share an exclusive preview of what you can expect when the profession comes together this November.

This year's programme has been shaped by the challenges and opportunities facing occupational therapists today - from sustainability and housing to mental health, neuroscience and career development. Whether you work in the NHS, social care, education, independent practice, rehabilitation or case management, you'll find practical learning, inspiring speakers and ideas you can take straight back to your own service.
 

Sustainability takes centre stage

For the first time, sustainability features as a dedicated programme theme, recognising the increasingly important role occupational therapists play in creating healthier people, communities and health systems. Sessions will explore greener clinical practice, sustainable equipment provision, nature-based rehabilitation and how occupational therapists can lead environmental change while improving outcomes for the people they support.

One session not to miss is Doing what matters, being kind, becoming sustainable: occupational therapy and belonging in a safer world, where Ben Whittaker will explore how sustainability and occupational therapy go hand in hand.
 

Practical learning across every area of practice

Across the programme you'll discover evidence-based, practical sessions designed to support your everyday practice.

The mental health stream explores trauma-informed care, menopause, dual diagnosis and supporting people with increasingly complex needs, including Beyond labels: challenging stigma in dual diagnosis, where Jessica Bhika shares practical approaches to delivering more inclusive care.

In the neuro stream, you'll hear the latest thinking on neuroscience, self-regulation and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Highlights include The neuroscience of co-regulation and self-regulation: applying a neuro-affirmative lens to occupational therapy practice, with Aine O'Dea, offering practical strategies that can be applied across a range of clinical settings.

For those working with children and young people, sessions focus on collaborative practice, education partnerships and improving participation. Don't miss The overlap advantage: OT–SLT co-working for stronger outcomes, exploring how occupational therapists and speech and language therapists can work together to achieve better outcomes for children and families.

The housing, equipment and adaptation stream demonstrates why housing is increasingly recognised as healthcare. As part of this stream, join CMSUK to explore the role of housing for people following traumatic injury in More than adaptations: creating homes that enable participation following catastrophic injury.
 

Developing the profession

Occupational therapy continues to evolve, opening up exciting new career pathways and opportunities for professional growth.

Our career development, leadership and professional practice stream explores leadership, independent practice, business skills, workforce retention and the practical use of AI in everyday occupational therapy. One of the standout sessions is Alone in the room: how to survive, thrive and make some noise as an OT, where Jill Martin, Clinical Director at Purpose People Ltd Occupational Therapy & Coaching, shares how OTs can turn their isolation into a platform for change and confidence building.

For those considering a different direction, the dedicated case management stream offers valuable insight into one of the profession's fastest-growing career options. Sessions such as Emerging opportunities for OTs in Case Management, presented by Helen Valls Russell, explore routes into the profession, coordinating complex rehabilitation and supporting people with life-changing injuries and long-term conditions.
 

Join us this November

This is only a taste of what's to come. Across two days you'll hear from leading clinicians, researchers, educators and innovators, all focused on helping you deliver better outcomes for the people you support.

Keep an eye on the full programme as it develops HERE.