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Plans to strengthen adult social care services continue as council welcomes Occupational Therapy service

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People in Gloucestershire who need support from occupational therapy services will benefit from more joined-up care, following the successful transfer of the council-funded Occupational Therapy service into Gloucestershire County Council.
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From 3 August 2026, responsibility for delivering adult social care Occupational Therapy services transferred from Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) to Gloucestershire County Council. The move follows the successful transfer of the Mental Health Social Work service in June and is the latest step in the council's wider programme to strengthen adult social care services.

Bringing the service into the council means teams can work more closely together and use the same systems, making it easier to share information, improve oversight and reduce duplication. This will help ensure people receive more coordinated support and can access the right help at the right time.

The move also supports the council's stronger focus on prevention and early intervention. Occupational therapists play a vital role in helping people remain independent for longer, supporting them to do the things that matter most in their daily lives, maintain connections with their communities and avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital or long-term care

For residents, there is no change to the support they receive. Services continue as normal, and the council and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust have worked closely together to ensure a smooth transition. People already receiving support, or waiting for an assessment, do not need to take any action.

Occupational Therapy staff have transferred into Gloucestershire County Council on their existing terms and conditions, supported by a tailored onboarding programme designed to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of care.

This change relates to how adult social care services are organised and does not affect health-related Occupational Therapy services which are provided by the NHS.

Councillor Dr Kate Usmar, cabinet member for Adults' Support and Independence at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Following the successful transfer of the Mental Health Social Work service earlier this year, bringing Occupational Therapy services into Gloucestershire County Council is another important step in strengthening adult social care for local people.

"By bringing services closer together, we can improve how teams work together, reduce duplication and make it easier for people to get the support they need, when they need it. This will help us provide more joined-up care, with a stronger focus on helping people to stay independent, prevent needs from escalating and live well for longer.

"Most importantly, residents can be reassured that services continue as normal, with the same dedicated staff providing high-quality support that helps people live safely and independently in their own homes."

The Occupational Therapy transfer forms part of a wider programme of adult social care improvement approved by the council, aimed at strengthening oversight of statutory services, improving integration across teams and delivering better outcomes for Gloucestershire residents with a prevention focused approach.