The UK Reiki Federation
Who has what Role within Regulation?
Regulator
Regulates the practice of Reiki (and other therapies/disciplines). Currently in the UK we have voluntary self regulation for complementary therapies ie it is not compulsory. It is the person doing the Reiki who is regulated, not the Reiki itself ie it is how they work and their interaction with the public.
The role of the regulatory body is primarily to protect the public in that it gives the public and employers quality assurance that the practitioner's qualifications and/or experience is such that it meets the minimum standard required for professional practice. It also gives the same quality assurance to doctors and all other health care professionals who may use a national register. Registrants will have to be insured and sign up to a CPD Policy (continuing professional development), disciplinary procedures and code of professional conduct and ethics.
See also:
Professional Associations
The UK Reiki Federation is one of many professional associations. A professional association's role is to represent its membership, looking after the needs of the professional therapist. A professional body will offer insurance, CPD opportunities, journals or newsletters, support groups, advertising leaflets, conferences etc.
In addition the UKRF receives innumerable enquiries from the public about Reiki, and for requests for names of practitioners and teachers. It helps to promote these through advertising and attendance at exhibitions and conferences.
Regulator or Professional Association? An example of this is the RCN (Royal College of Nursing) which is the professional body and the NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) is the regulatory body.
Lead Body
Offers advice to all stakeholders and to individuals on the specific therapy which they represent i.e. the Reiki Council (formerly the Reiki Regulatory Working Group) represents Reiki.
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Awarding Body
Sets up and gets approval to run accredited courses. Approval for accreditation is given through OfQual which is part of the QCA (Qualifications Curriculum Authority).
See also:
Education & National Occupational Standards
