CRANIAL FORUM - OVERVIEW

An overview of development work on occupational and training standards.

Standards of practitioner competence – developed by whole group – completed – Feb 2002.

Call for representative from Cranial Forum to participate in Technical Working Group on National Occupational Standards for CAM. This was led by Tom Lane and a team of consultants. Maggie Gill brought the resulting N.O.S back to the forum for the group. Our task was then to adapt and amend it so that it would be specifically for Cranial Therapies. Sub group formed for the task: Maggie Gill, Ann Roden, and Jo Crill.

Completed work was brought to forum meetings for discussion and amendment. When this was completed the NOS for Cranial Therapies were submitted to Tom Lane - Nov 2003.

The Core Curriculum for the Forum was to be developed from the Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding Units of the NOS. Also, our original short document – Standards of Practitioner Competence – had to be considered. It was important not to lose the ‘essence’ in the detail and complexity we now worked within.

Our first task within the Core Curriculum was agreed to be a unit on Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. The ITEC Diploma in A&P was taken as a basis to work from. It was then radically changed and enhanced. This unit is now at a stage where further consultation and discussion is needed with Training Schools.

The next two units - Cranial Skills and Practice Management Skills bring together our original vision plus the remaining sections of work underpinning the NOS. (The ref column has been left blank until the units have been agreed) The Cranial Skills unit has been left open and broad in its content. It is felt that the Training Schools need to build upon this unit in their own ways – thus providing the opportunity for different approaches and positively encouraging diversity. It is felt that by maintaining this diversity and welcoming its richness that we will be able to move forward as a group towards regulation. Training in Practice Management has formed part of all nationally-recognised qualifications in Complementary therapies for some time. These units may take place alongside the therapy training, or through other establishments offering suitable qualifications. Mature students, who already have business experience, should be able to provide evidence of their skills and would not therefore have to complete this unit. This is recognised as the Accreditation of Prior Learning.

Finally there are two statements about Training Course Structures, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). These are for general information, and to raise awareness about the range of opportunities available for students who wish to train in the therapy.