U. K. Reflexology Forum
Impending Regulation has been a concern for all the complementary therapies for some time now. Without effective regulation we could see the gradual decline of Reflexology. In 1999 the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for reflexology were completed to the satisfaction of all the main reflexology organisationsand the Reflexology Forum was formed.
The Reflexology Forum has 2 main aims:
- To develop a National Qualification Framework based on the NOS for Reflexology.
- To pave the way for regulation for Reflexology in the most suitable manner for Reflexologists and for the public.
The options available are Voluntary Self Regulation or Statutory Regulation. The Forum consists of representatives from all the main bodies for Reflexology in the U.K. I was invited to attend the Forum meeting in June on behalf of the institute and can now report that the NOS have been finalised and all the members of the Forum have approved them. The standards are now being submitted to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) for their approval and it is hoped they will be published in the near future.
It is vitally important that the institute as a whole and we individually as therapists keep abreast of these matters as there is little doubt we will be affected by their outcome.
Maria Pundyke