The Council has 37 member bodies representing organisations with just under a million members interested in work and health. This represents a huge resource of knowledge and expertise.
Acas is Britain’s workplace expert. We have experience working with all types and sizes of organisation: private and public; SMEs and large corporations across all sectors. All of our support is bespoke to business need, sector and area.
- We help organisations to improve performance by advising on good practice in everyday working life – through online and telephone advice; practical tools, clear guidance, and expert training.
- When workplace problems do arise, we help to resolve disputes and manage conflict between parties and help employers and employees to re-build effective long lasting relationships and embed good practice.
- We use the insight gathered from speaking to millions of people and employers every year to inform and influence employment policy and debate. This knowledge is fed back into our guidance and dispute resolution services.
Drawing from over forty years of experience working with employers and employees, Acas have developed a framework for positive mental health at work, setting out the roles of the employer, line manager and individual. The framework has been designed to create and support a thriving, healthy and productive workplace.
To complement the framework, we have developed a mental health training suite of four modules. These are effective both as standalone sessions, or collectively as a comprehensive training programme.
Acas can help people, line managers and employers understand the signs of mental ill health, the triggers and ways to address them; we can help you change the workplace culture and promote positive mental health across the workforce; we can give you the tools to identify what adjustments would have the most impact for your people and how to implement them; and we can help educate your workforce about promoting positive mental health and supporting themselves and others.
iOH (Association of Occupational and Wellbeing Professionals)
Who are we
iOH, the Association of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Professionals is a professional development and networking group with members who are health professionals working in Occupational Health. Members include occupational health nurses and physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, occupational hygienists, ergonomists, and psychological and well-being professionals.
We are a diverse group that informs and supports employers to improve the working environment and health and well-being of workers so that they can do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Further information: Home – iOH – The Association of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Professionals
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (ACPOHE)
The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (ACPOHE) is a Professional Network of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Our aim is to ensure quality services are delivered to prevent injury, reduce sickness absence, and improve employee wellbeing.
ACPOHE members work in both public and private settings and are key to any proactive multidisciplinary team working in Occupational Health. ACPOHE members adopt a biopsychosocial and work focused approach and offer specialist services including the assessment and management of musculoskeletal injury, fitness for work assessment, functional testing, functional rehabilitation, training, and ergonomic consultancy.
ACPOHE membership is open to all professionals working in the field of work and health and we offer a range of membership levels to suit member’s needs. Technical or Registered Membership can be achieved, once a level of competency is demonstrated.
ACPOHE delivers educational courses and guidance, hosts regular webinars and an annual study day which are open to ACPOHE members and non-members. ACPOHE actively engages in research and works hard to develop relationships with other professional groups. This allows us to support best practice and continually drive standards up in in the field of work and health.
To find out more about ACPOHE please go to www.acpohe.org.uk
The British Psychological Society (BPS)
For more than 120 years, the British Psychological Society has championed psychology, psychologists and the wider psychological professions, supporting our members through every stage of their careers. We have more than 65,000 members – all of whom share a passion for psychology, and its impact on individuals and society. We give the members the tools and resources to enhance their careers, with the latest psychological research, CPD opportunities and tailored events. We speak up for psychology and psychologists and influence and develop a psychological approach to policy-making that puts people first and uphold the highest standards for research, education, and knowledge.
For further information please go to: https://www.bps.org.uk
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
BACP is the largest professional body for the counselling professions in the UK, with approximately 45,000 practitioner members. The organisation promotes and provides education and training for counsellors and psychotherapists working in either professional or voluntary settings, whether full or part time, with a view to raising the standards of the counselling professions for the benefit of the community and in particular for those who are the recipients of counselling or psychotherapy. It also aims to inform and educate the public about the contribution that the counselling professions can make generally and particularly in meeting the needs of those whose participation and development in society is impaired by physical or psychological health needs or disability.
BACP Workplace is a division of BACP that promotes the role of counselling in supporting good mental health at work. Our members are therapists working with employees, employers and employee assistance programmes (EAPs) as well as organisations interested in all aspects of our emotional and psychological health at work. We support practitioners to develop the skills to work in a range of roles; as a therapist, coach, psycho-educator, trainer, critical incident planner/de-briefer and in providing trauma support. The world of work is fast changing and practitioners need to be able to respond quickly and flexibly to the demands that both employees and employers are facing.”
For further information please go to: https://www.bacp.co.uk
BOHS
Who we are
The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) is a science-led, charitable body and the UK’s leading authority that works to protect everyone’s right to a healthy working environment. Founded in 1953, it’s one of the largest occupational hygiene societies in Europe and the only professional society representing qualified occupational hygienists in the UK. BOHS provides internationally recognised qualifications, scientific conferences and membership services, and has over 1400 members across 57 countries and numerous fields of worker health.
What we do
Occupational hygiene is the science of worker health protection. It is about protecting people and keeping them healthy and safe at work. Often the risk from health hazards present in the workplace are not readily apparent, recognised or understood. They can cause serious ill health over the longer term from repeated relatively low levels of exposure if appropriate controls have not been applied.
Through science and engineering, occupational hygienists identify, assess and control the risk from any health hazards that are in, or arise from, the workplace and lead to serious health diseases. These hazards include chemicals, dust, fumes, noise, vibration and extreme temperatures.
Occupational hygienists aim to increase understanding of health risks in the working environment and advise on appropriate and practical control strategies to protect workers from serious illnesses like cancer, asthma, skin diseases and hearing loss.
Our vision
By promoting scientific expertise and professional standards, we help our members achieve our vision of a healthy working environment for everyone.
We achieve this through:
- Membership
- Qualifications and training
- Conferences and events
- Publications and research
- Worker health campaigns
- Occupational hygiene awards
As part of our mission, BOHS offers expert information and publications on issues critical to worker health protection. Through targeted campaigns, including our popular Breathe Freely campaign initiative to reduce occupational lung disease, we help to raise awareness among employers about how they can better protect their workforce from serious illnesses.
For further information please go to: www.bohs.org
The British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (BSPRM)
“The British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (BSPRM) aims to promote the advancement of rehabilitation medicine and improve care for people with disabilities. We provide a member forum to exchange expertise, provide education and training opportunities and raise awareness of the importance of the Speciality by advocating policies and practices
For further information please go to: www.bsprm.org.uk
Business in the Community (BiTC)
Who we are
We exist to build healthy communities with successful businesses at their heart.
Business in the Community – The Prince’s Responsible Business Network – is a business-led membership organisation made up of progressive businesses of all sizes who understand that the prosperity of business and society are mutually dependent.
In the spirit of being a responsible business, our members are signed up to:
- Being the best they can be in delivering social, environmental and economic sustainability across all areas of their business
- Join with other businesses to bring together their collective strength and be a force for good
What we do
We set a course for responsible business.
We use our Responsible Business Map to guide members on a journey of continuous improvement, working across the whole responsible business agenda. From community engagement to employment, diversity and the circular economy, we offer expert advice and specialist resources, driving best practice by convening, sharing learning and recognising great performance across our influential Network.
Through participation in Business in the Community’s groundbreaking campaigns and programmes, businesses can collaborate and help to bring about lasting change on a wider scale which benefits both business and society.
For further information please go to: https://www.bitc.org.uk
Charlie Waller Trust
The Charlie Waller Trust is a national charity set up by the Waller family in 1997 after Charlie tragically took his own life aged 28. It provides mental health training, resources and consultancy with a focus on children and young people.
The Trust’s expert trainers give parents, carers, teachers and employers the skills and confidence to spot signs of mental ill health and support young people to seek help. It works in schools, colleges, universities and workplaces throughout the UK.
In addition to its training and resources, the Trust sponsors the Charlie Waller Institute at the University of Reading, facilitating training in evidence-based psychological treatments and increasing the availability of therapists.
All the Trust’s work is evidence-based, with Charlie’s story at its heart, and most of it is free. The only exception is its work with employers, the income from which is invested in extending its work to support young people. Breaking the stigma of mental health in the workplace is extremely important to the Charlie Waller Trust. It offers training and consultancy to senior leaders, line managers, HR staff and employees.
The Trust has a team of youth ambassadors and strives to ensure young people’s voices are heard throughout its work.
The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF)
The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors is a professional membership body that promotes learning, advances education and aims to ensure competence in professional practice for ergonomists and human factors specialists living and working anywhere in the world, up to and including Chartered professional – the only body able to do this.
We support 60 Registered Consultancies who supply professional services, run conferences, national and regional events, webinars and offer regular meetings for networking.
Our members contribute content to the journals “Ergonomics” and “Applied Ergonomics”. We publish our member magazine “The Ergonomist”, our Annual Conference Proceedings and White Papers and other key publications on ergonomics and human factors.
For further information visit www.ergonomics.org.uk
Commercial Occupational Health Providers Association (COHPA)
COHPA is a ‘Not for Profit’ Non-regulatory Membership Association for Occupational Health and Wellbeing providers and was founded in 2004.
COHPA has become a prominent figure within the Occupational Health Sector, working with providers to enable employers to access best practices in Occupational Health and promote health, safety, and wellbeing throughout the UK’s working population.
Our membership signifies a commitment to supporting the growth of the Occupational Health industry through increased awareness and education at local and national levels. What’s more, membership offers a variety of business benefits, such as networking, training, and business lead generation, from one-off referrals to national contracts for health surveillance and absence management.
For further information please go to: www.cohpa.org
CSP
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that works with people to identify & maximise their ability to move & function. Functional movement is a key part of what it means to be healthy and includes the potential to engage safely with work.
Many Physiotherapy services offer self-referral and early intervention which supports people to remain in work, or to return to work earlier after illness or injury. Physiotherapists working in occupational health provide rehabilitation of employees with a wide range of health conditions, with a view to restoring individuals’ fitness and capability to meet the demands of their job. They deliver services to individuals, groups and organisations on matters relating to occupational health and well-being. Work-based assessments and advice are related to an individuals’ particular work activity and include advice regarding adjustments as well as work-hardening activities.
Toolkits available
The CSP has recently been given clearance from the Joint Work and Health Unit enabling physiotherapists to assess for, and issue AHP Advisory Fitness for Work reports for the purposes of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). This tool is available for physiotherapists on the CSP website. The completed AHP Fitness Report is given by a physiotherapist to a patient to discuss with their employer. It comprises tailored recommendations and advice to support decisions to help the employee remain in work or return to work following injury, illness or other intervention.
Membership criteria
Practising physiotherapists registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) may become members. Healthcare support workers may join as associates.
Conferences and study days
The CSP holds an annual scientific conference and a range of regional CPD events; mainly for physiotherapists and allied health professionals.
Quality Standards and Regulation
Chartered physiotherapists are regulated by the Health & Care Professions Council.
The CSP expects its members to comply with its Code of Professional Values and Behaviour (2012), which sets out the CSP’s expectations of its members and the Quality Assurance Standards for the Provision of Physiotherapy Services (2012).
The CSP supports high quality research through rigorous review and assessment of contributions to its scientific journal, ‘Physiotherapy’.
For further information please go to: http://www.csp.org.uk
CIPD
The CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development. The not-for-profit organisation champions better work and working lives and has been setting the benchmark for excellence in people and organisation development for more than 100 years. It has more than 150,000 members across the world, provides thought leadership through independent research on the world of work, and offers professional training and accreditation for those working in HR and learning and development.
DEFENCE MEDICAL SERVICES (DMS)
For further information please go to this link: Defence Medical Services
Make UK – the manufacturers’ organisation (formerly EEF)
Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, is the representative voice of UK manufacturing, with offices in London, Brussels, Wales, and every English region.
Collectively we represent 20,000 companies of all sizes, from start-ups to multinationals, across engineering, manufacturing, technology and the wider industrial sector. We directly represent over 5,000 businesses who are members of Make Uk. Everything we do – from providing essential business support and training to championing manufacturing industry in the UK and the EU – is designed to help British manufacturers compete, innovate and grow.
From HR and employment law, health and safety to environmental and productivity improvement, our advice, expertise and influence enables businesses to remain safe, compliant and future-focused.
For further information please go to: https://www.makeuk.org
Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM)
The Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) is an accrediting body that sets standards, oversees specialty training and delivers specialist exams so doctors can become accredited specialists in occupational medicine to ensure delivery of high quality occupational health services to the working age population.
For further information please go to: http://www.fom.ac.uk
Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing
HSE
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IIRSM
IIRSM is the independent, educational charity providing practical support to everyone involved in managing risks to benefit people, society, governments and business. We are a collaborative and accessible professional body, led by our members.
We have a community of 8000+ globally, representing all risk disciplines from compliance, environmental management, health and safety, insurance, internal audit, quality management, security, project management and more.
Visit us www.iirsm.org
IOSH
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the chartered body and largest membership organisation for health and safety professionals.
Our vision is simple: a safe and healthy world of work. In March 2023, we launched our five-year strategy, Activate 2028, to set out how we will work towards this.
Our single-minded focus is to support our members whose job is to protect the safety, health and wellbeing of working people. We share their passion and determination to cut the number of people who die or fall ill because of their work, by helping organisations to create safer, healthier and more sustainable working practices.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan is here to do whatever it takes to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can.
It’s health and social care professionals who make this possible. So, we offer resources, tools, education and information to help them give the best treatment and support possible.
We can also complement their vital work, providing physical, emotional and financial support to their patients, friends, carers and families.
Working together, we will do whatever it takes to provide services for people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer experience.
To find out more, visit macmillan.org.uk/patientsupport
NHS Health at Work Network
NHS Health at Work is the network of NHS occupational health teams. It is an unincorporated membership association launched in the Spring of 2011 and represents over 90% of NHS OH departments in England. The Network is established specifically to act as the voice of NHS OH departments/services rather than individual professional groups. It is governed by a Network Board, with elected representatives from members in each of the NHS regions in England.
The Network represents the views of NHS OH at a strategic level and has developed working relationships with key organisations such as NHS England, UK Health Security Agency, FOM, SEQOHS, NHS Employers, SOM, the Council for Work and Health, the National School of OH and the Faculty of OH Nursing, with Board member representation on several committees and working groups.
For further information please go to: https://www.nhshealthatwork.co.uk
NHS Employers
We are the employers’ organisation for the NHS in England. We support workforce leaders and represent employers and systems to develop a sustainable workforce and be the best employers they can be. We are part of the NHS Confederation. We work with employers in the health service in England to reflect their views and act on their behalf in four priority areas:
- pay and negotiations
- recruitment and planning the workforce
- healthy and productive workplaces
- employment policy and practice.
For further information please go to: http://www.nhsemployers.org
NSOH
The National School of Occupational Health NSOH, part of NHSE Work Training & Education (WT&E), aims to promote the highest standards of quality clinical training provision for a multidisciplinary OH workforce in England and Wales. Delivering the capability and capacity to optimise the workability of the working-age population.
Royal College of General Practitioners (RGCP)
The Royal College of General Practitioners is the UK’s professional membership organisation for general practitioners. It is the largest UK Medical Royal College, with over 50000 members. It represents and supports GPs on issues including licensing, education, training, research and clinical standards. Its membership examination (MRCGP) is the licensing examination for entry to independent practice as a GP. It also publishes the British Journal of General Practice. Its website is at https://www.rcgp.org.uk/.
Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOG)
At RCOT, we’ve championed the profession and the people behind it for our 80 years and today we are thriving with over 35,000 members. Supporting people to remain in, return to, or obtain work is a key function of occupational therapy. then and now, we’re here to help achieve life changing breakthroughs for people in the workplace and for society as a whole.
For further information please go to: https://www.rcot.co.uk/about-us/specialist-sections/work-rcot-ss
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists (SLTs), SLT students and support workers working in the UK. The RCSLT has over 20,000 members. We promote excellence in practice and influence health, education, employment, social care and justice policies.
Speech and language therapists assess and treat speech, language and communication needs and eating, drinking and swallowing problems in people of all ages. SLTs also work with people with voice disorders, where changes to the voice have a major impact on daily life. SLTs enable people to develop or retain vital skills allowing them to live a more independent and better quality of life. SLTs also train the wider workforce and develop tailored guidance and advice.
For further information please go to: https://www.rcslt.org
Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is a Professional body and trade union. Under the Royal Charter for the RCN the remit of the college is to; promote excellence in practice, influence and shape health policy and advocate for excellence in working conditions. The RCN are the “go-to” place for nursing professional services, knowledge, policy and products which are underpinned by a clear vision for nursing. We achieve the right nursing numbers, with the right skills, in the right settings, to improve quality, experience and outcomes for the population.
The RCN has a current membership of around 435,000 registered nurses, midwives, health visitors, nursing students, health care assistants and nurse cadets. It is the voice of nursing across the UK and the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. RCN members work in a variety of hospital and community settings in the NHS and the independent sector. The RCN promotes patient and nursing interests on a wide range of issues by working closely with the Government, the UK parliaments and other national and European political institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.
The strategic aims of the college are to;
- To promote the science and art of nursing and education and training in the profession of nursing;
- To promote the advance of nursing as a profession in all or any of its branches;
- To promote the professional standing and interests of Members;
- To assist Members who by reason of adversity, ill-health or otherwise are in need of assistance of any nature.
For further information please go to: https://www.rcn.org.uk
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has for over 100 years campaigned to reduce the toll of accidents towards Lives, free from serious accidental injury
Our mission: Exchanging life-enhancing skills and knowledge to reduce serious accidental injuries. Within an OHS Policy content and underpinning our work with and through the working age population globally we believe that:
- Accidents and cases of occupational ill-health don’t have to happen.
- Safe and healthy work underpins success.
- Freedom from harm is an important goal for Society.
- We all have a responsibility to adopt a balanced approach to health, safety and risk.
- A whole-person, whole-life approach to health, safety and wellbeing is fundamental to business success.
These beliefs also provide the basis for our work with and through our RoSPA Award winners, 2000+ in 24 countries connecting us to the lives of 7 million employees and their families. Through this network we seek to improve occupational health and safety globally through the commitment and expertise of the RoSPA Awards community, for lives free from serious accidental injury.
Seeking to unlock the potential of the RoSPA Awards global community for the exchange of life-enhancing knowledge and skills
For further information please go to: https://www.rospa.com/about/vision-mission/
Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM)
The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) is the largest and oldest nationally recognised professional organisation of individuals with an interest in health and work. SOM membership is for anyone working in and around occupational health. SOM membership demonstrates a commitment to improving health at work, enhancing our members’ reputation and employability. Join online at www.som.org.uk
Members are part of a multidisciplinary community – including doctors, technicians, nurses, health specialists and other professionals – with access to the information, expertise and learning needed to keep at the forefront of their role. Our members benefit from career development opportunities alongside practical, day-to-day support and guidance, through local and national networks that are open to all. SOM membership demonstrates a commitment to improving health at work, enhancing our members’ reputation and employability. Through its collective voice, SOM advances knowledge, raises standards and increases awareness to influence the future of occupational health.
For further information please go to: https://www.som.org.uk
TUC
The TUC is the voice of Britain at work, bringing together more than 5.5 million workers who belong to the 49 member unions. It exists to improve working life and promote equality for everyone.
For further information please go to: https://www.tuc.org.uk
UK EAPA
The UK EAPA was established in 1998 and represents the interests of professionals concerned with employee assistance, psychological health and wellbeing in the UK.
The UK EAPA mission is to promote the highest standards of practice and the continuing development of employee assistance programmes (EAPs) and services in the UK. The Association publishes Standards for the delivery of EAP services and has also produced a range of other documents and guides to assist with the commissioning or delivery of EAPs, as well as to discuss issues relating to EAPs and wellbeing in the workplace. EAPA also commissions research designed to highlight the role of EAPs in tackling mental health issues in the workplace, and the benefits of EAPs for both purchasers and service users.
The UK EAPA Board comprises EA professionals working in a variety of roles within the industry, and is the governing and policy making body of the Association.
For further information please go to: https://www.eapa.org.uk
UKRC
The UK Rehabilitation Council is a community of rehabilitation associations, rehabilitation providers, clients and other stakeholder groups. Our common goal is to ensure access to high quality medical and vocational rehabilitation services in the UK.
Acting as an umbrella organisation for this broad community, the Council was established to provide a united voice on issues of importance to us. The Council seeks to coordinate the efforts of its members, in order that our combined efforts have the greatest possible impact.
We began our work in 2008 with financial support from the Department of Work and Pensions and from the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.
VRA
The Association exists to:
- support practitioners working in the field of health, disability, and employment;
- promote and develop their personal, professional, and practical skills;
- promote VR amongst a range of stakeholders and commissioners;
- promote the use of and access to quality VR services in the UK;
The Association is committed to:
- fulfilling aims that will ensure the recognition of the skills and knowledge of practitioners;
- setting and furthering standards for future practitioners; and also
- providing a competence framework for practitioners to adhere..
For further information please go to: https://vrassociation.com