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iO Awards 2026
Associate of the Year

Closing date and time: Sunday, 4 October 2026 at 11:59pm.
About the award

This award recognises an associate who consistently demonstrates clinical excellence while making a valuable contribution to their practice, patients and the wider profession, including through innovation, research, mentoring or professional development.

Before completing this form: We recommend that you read the award criteria, eligibility rules and nomination guidance: Awards Guidance Notes and Rules.

Alternative ways to make a nomination
To answer the main nomination questions by audio or video or to request a paper or large-print version, or help completing your nomination, contact events@iOsteopathy.org.

*Indicates mandatory fields required on this form
1.Eligibility
The nominee must be:
• a UK-based osteopath;
• working as an employed, self-employed or contracted associate within a practice or service that they do not own or control; and
• currently GOsC registered and a current iO member.(Required.)
2.Who are you nominating?
Select one:(Required.)
3.Your details
4.Nominee details
5.Current associate role
6.Tell us about the nominee's role and context

Briefly describe the nominee's current associate role, responsibilities and working setting; the patients or community they serve; and any relevant opportunities, constraints or resources. If the nominated work was carried out in a different role or setting during the relevant period, include that here.

Your answer Maximum 250 words or approximately 2 minutes of audio/video.
7.What makes this associate outstanding?

Describe the strongest example or examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence and contributed beyond routine caseload management during the relevant three-year period.

Explain:

• the need, problem or opportunity the nominee identified;

• what they did, improved or introduced, and why this was distinctive in their context;

• how their work demonstrated excellent, ethical and patient-centred practice;

• how reflection, CPD, patient feedback, audit or outcome information influenced their work; and

• how they used initiative to improve care, service delivery or team working within their associate role.

Use specific examples. Give the relevant dates and identify the supporting document or documents in section 10 that substantiate what the nominee did, their personal contribution and how reflection, learning, feedback or other information shaped the work.

Your answer Maximum 600 words or approximately 5 minutes of audio/video.
8.What difference have they made, and how do you know?

Explain what changed because of the nominee's work, why the change mattered and who benefited.

Include:

• the difference made to patients, colleagues, the practice or service;

• who benefited and why the difference was significant for them;

• how you know - for example, before-and-after information, audit or outcome data, evaluation, documented change or relevant feedback;

• how the results connect specifically to the nominee's contribution; and

• whether the change has lasted, developed or can be sustained.

Support the claimed change with the relevant figures or findings and identify the document or documents in section 10 where these can be verified. The nominee's contribution should be shown in relation to their role and opportunities; they do not need to own the practice or hold formal authority.

Your answer Maximum 600 words or approximately 5 minutes of audio/video.
9.How have they contributed beyond their immediate clinical work?

Describe the additional value the nominee has created beyond the main achievement and their own patient caseload.

Relevant examples may include:

• supporting colleagues or mentoring others;

• contributing to research, education or innovation;

• community or charity work;

• collaborating with other professions, services or organisations;

• sharing knowledge or learning; or

• another contribution benefiting the profession or wider community.

Give specific examples, explain what value this created and identify the supporting document or documents in section 10 that substantiate the activity and its effect.

Your answer Maximum 300 words or approximately 3 minutes of audio/video.
10.Supporting evidence 1(Required.)
No file chosen
11.Supporting evidence 2
No file chosen
12.Supporting evidence 3
No file chosen
Important: Do not include identifiable patient information in any supporting document. Only supporting evidence in any format should be submitted through the file uploads above. To submit your full nomination by audio or video, please email events@iOsteopathy.org.
13.Confirm and submit
Complete each confirmation:(Required.)
14.Name of person making these confirmations(Required.)
15.Date of submission(Required.)
Enter:
Final check: Make sure the eligibility confirmation is complete, all required contact details are present, each main question is answered, at least one supporting document is supplied, and all supporting documents are anonymised and clearly named.