Certificates required for Full Membership - Irish Association of Craniosacral Therapists

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1. Qualification certificate

A qualification certificate from an IACST recognised CST school is required for membership. A Paeditatric Certificate is required if you wish to be reigistered as a Paediatric member.

The following CST schools are currently recognised by the IACST as are currently in the process of being accrediated:

Body College
Milne Institute
Upledger Institute Ireland

If you have a qualification from a school outside of Ireland which is from a Craniosacral Therapy Association (CSTA) or Cranio Sacral Society Accrediated school you will be eligible for membership to the IACST.

For all other qualification certificates please contact info@iacst.ie to enquire about eligibility for membership.

2. Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology Certificate

Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology certificate, QQI Level 5 is required for membership (Previously known as ITEC level 3 or Fetac level 5) to ensure therapists have the knowledge, skill and competence to understand the structure, function and illness/disease process of the human body. For Information on QQI Level 5 click on The National Framework of Qualifications.

If you have A & P completed, but it doesn't state if the standard is QQI Level 5 (ITEC 3 or FETAC 5), then a letter will be required from your education provider stating that this particular course or module is equivalent to QQI Level 5.
The only exceptions will be for those who have already completed A & P to degree level program or equivalent thereof, examples are osteopath / physio / occupational therapist / doctor / nurse, etc
Pathology must be included in the course you choose.
Be aware that some courses include the QQI Level 5 exam in their fees and others courses charge separetly for the exam.
Students that have not completed their A&P training prior to commencing CST training in an IACST accredited school are required to complete their Anatomy & Physiology as soon as possible once training has begun.

3. First Aid / CPR Certificate

First Aid Certificate including CPR is required for membership.

A 1 Day basic course which includes CPR is accepted.
Valid for CPD hours/points

Craniosacral therapists must possess First Aid training to effectively manage potential emergencies that may arise during treatment, such as fainting, seizures, or diabetic episodes. Clients expect that therapists are equipped with the necessary skills to handle such situations.

Take into Consideration:

There are many different courses available with different content, cost, method of delivery and different lengths of validity.
Therapists completeing First Aid/CPR for the first time, consider doing an in-person 2/3 day course.
If doing a refresher course, consider doing a 1 day in-person or online.
Refresher courses may need to be completed before current certificates' expire.
Therapists working with children and babies should ensure their First Aid trainnig course covers these scenarios.
Members are responsible to ensure their First Aid/CPR certificate is up to date and relevant to their practice needs.

4. Insurance Certificate

IACST members are required to have Professional Liability Insurance, to protect both Therapist and Clients in the event of claims for injury, harm, malpactice or financial loss.

IACST has two affiliated insurance schemes which offers our members discounted Insurance: Balens Specialist Insurance Brokers and Brian Mullins Insurance Brokers. Choose the policy which best suits you and your practice requirements.

To avail of this dicounted rate with Balens fill out the Declaration Form which includes guidance notes and premium guides.

The form can be reutrned along with copies of your qualifications BALENS EUROPE B.V. – UK BRANCH, BRIDGE HOUSE, PORTLAND ROAD, MALVERN, WR14 2TA
OR EMAIL: Affinities@balens.eu

Further information in relation to Balens IACST members Affinity scheme- Republic of Ireland:

To get your individual quotation, simply click on the following link and complete the on-line application.

http://policy.bmib.ie/ApplyNow

5. Children First Certificate

A Children First Certificate is required for IACST Membership in line with statutory responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015.

Children First training outlines best practice procedures for safeguarding children and young people, for Therapists working directly with children or Therapists that may indirectly receive information of concern in relation to a child.

Tusla has worked with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE to develop a universal FREE e-learning programme called ‘Introduction to Children First’. The programme has been written to support people of all backgrounds and experience in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns if they arise.

The programme is based on the "Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children" and the "Children First Act 2015".

The Children First training:

takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete, and requires the creation of an online account using an email address to log in.
can be done in a number of sittings, allowing you to log back in and resume where you left off.
issues a certificate to the the email address provided once the programme is complete.
certificate is valid for 3 years.You can do refresher training after 3 years and you will get a new certificate.

Click on the link to get started Children First e-learning programme

Email support@hseland.ie for all matters relating to Children First training including accessing accounts or certification issues.