The Lead Body for the UK Aromatherapy Profession
SERVICES
Welcome to Aromatherapy Council - AC
We have been through several metamorphoses over the last 6 years, and have even established ourselves as the regulatory body for aromatherapy, but due to changes in the needs of regulation we have now reverted back to being the Lead or Governing Body for the UK aromatherapy profession.
Our role is the voice of aromatherapy.
In 2007, the aromatherapy profession in the UK agreed that a federal structure of regulation was the best way forward for both safeguarding public interest AND for therapists who in the main practice more than one therapy. We have therefore been involved in discussions to achieve this goal.
Whenever you see an Aromatherapist you need to feel confident that the person treating you meets professional standards. You also need to know that someone will take action if things go wrong. That is where regulation is important.
Two federal regulatory bodies have been established. The first to launch in October 2007 is called the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapists (GRCCT) and its website is www.grcct.org. The second body was launched in April 2008 called the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and its website is www.cnhc.org.uk. We believe it is important to have a register of Complementary Therapists that includes Aromatherapists who meet the agreed national standards for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health. We expect aromatherapists to have your health and wellbeing at heart of all they do for you.
Regulation and registration of Complementary Therapists in the UK is voluntary self-regulation. This means that an aromatherapist can still practice and not have to be Registered with one of the federal bodies as it is their personal choice. To ensure that these aromatherapists are not disadvantaged in any way, we have set up a way of checking qualifications on our education page. An aromatherapist who holds a recognised qualification and is a full member of one of the associations within the Aromatherapy Council is permitted to state that they are AC Recognised.
About the AC
Established in December 2006, the Aromatherapy Council (AC) was originally set up to be the Voluntary Self-Regulatory body for the Aromatherapy profession within the UK. Its primary role was to protect the public & also to maintain the integrity of the profession. It sets minimum standards for professional training & practice. It also handles disciplinary matters & complaints concerning registrants’ fitness to practice.
This changed in November 2007 as a result of the modification within the regulatory objective as set down by Government in their White Paper. It was agreed that a federal style regulatory body for the whole of complementary therapies would be easier for both public safety and for multi-disciplined therapists.
The AC has now changed to become the Lead Body for the UK aromatherapy and the “Voice of Aromatherapy” and will work with both the federal regulators. It will consist of the professional associations and awarding bodies who wish to contribute to the work of the AC and consist of an elected representatives from each of these organisations & lay members, plus a lay chair and has a small number of paid staff to support its administrative requirements.
In January 2008, we will list here the associations and awarding bodies that are now part of the new AC.
Service Categories
Aromatherapy
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