Registered Practitioner (Athena) membership

Benefits of becoming an Registered Practitioner

• membership of international community with common interests and ethics
• recognition of professional practices that align to those of an acknowledged regulated body
• a certificate of registration and a logo that you can use to promote your practice
• listing of Registered Practitioner (Athena) membership on the international map

Requirements

To become an Registered Practitioner (Athena), you must:

• have successfully completed an appropriate qualification, or qualifications, in line with the Accredited Practitioner Register’s Standards of Education and Training
• alternatively, complete a Certificate of Proficiency in line with that defined for the Accredited Practitioner Register 
• currently be in practice, or have practised within the last two years, and
• agree to and be able to comply with the commitments set out below

The Application Process

Application is via application form.

In addition to relevant personal details, we will require various supporting documents. We recommend that you check out the full requirement and gather that information together before starting the process.

If you wish to proceed with registration please email [email protected] to request an application form.

Organisational Membership

Organisational Membership is also an available option. This includes individual practitioner registrations for those working under the organisation’s governance who meet the conditions defined for Register Practitioners (Athena).

Please contact the Register for more information, [email protected].

Commitments

As a Registered Practitioner (Athena) you are bound by the same framework as the Accredited Practitioner’s (PSA). This includes the requirements of registration laid out in Declaration of Compliance in the application form, as well as:

• the Ethical Basis for Good Practice in Equine Facilitated Interactions
• the Framework of Professional Standards
• the defined levels of Continued Professional Development 
• the Duty of Candour, and
• the Framework for the Ethical Treatment for Horses.

You must have read and agreed to all these as part of your original membership application and on each annual renewal.

You will have to recommit to these each year when you renew your membership. In addition to the links above these include evidence of appropriate current insurance and commitments to continuing professional development and supervision and maintaining up-to-date records of these activities.

Unless specifically indicated Registered Practitioners (Athena) will be subject to the same policies and procedures engaged by the Accredited Practitioner Register for Accredited Practitioners (PSA). 

Membership logo

Members will be provided their own annual “Registered Practitioner” logo.  

Example logos and guidance for use of this logo is covered within the Athena Herd Foundation Brand Protection Policy and Guidance. 

Protecting the Public

Equine Facilitated Interactions can provide powerful and therapeutic benefit for service users and clients. Registered Practitioners (Athena) have committed is to make sure that everyone who might access the service can benefit from the best standards of practice and care.

Membership defines not only a set standards of practice, but also to protect public interest by providing a means by which service users and clients can safely raise concerns or complaints about services being offered or provided.

Complaints will be handled through the same process as defined for Accredited Practitioners (PSA) under the Accredited Practitioner Register. 

Audit

Practitioners should be prepared to be subject to an annual audit of compliance with the terms of registration. This will be undertaken by random sample, any Practitioner selected will need to make available all requested documentation. Find out more about our audit process.

Costs

There is an application fee of £75, and an individual membership is £125 per annum.

On receipt of application, we will invoice you the application fee, the Athena Herd Foundation Terms and Conditions shall apply. Individual membership will be invoiced on satisfactory completion of application.

Membership subscriptions run for one year and are reviewed annually.

Appeal

Should you be unhappy with, or wish to contest, any decision made in respect of application to the Register then you can raise an appeal in line with our Appeals Policy.