About Course Accreditation
About Course Accreditation
Education standards for the antenatal and postnatal sector
FEDANT course accreditation provides an independent process for assessing whether an exact course meets the applicable education, safety and quality requirements for its intended professional or sector route.
Supporting Education Standards
FEDANT introduced the National Course Accreditation and Verification (NCAV) and National Relative Sector Award (NRSA) accreditation processes in 2006 to support clear national requirements for relevant education and training in the antenatal and postnatal sector.
Applications may relate to the training of Antenatal Educators, Breastfeeding Counsellors, Infant Feeding Practitioners, Doulas, Postnatal Practitioners and other relevant areas of professional or relative sector practice.
A structured quality assurance process
How Course Accreditation Works
The education provider submits the exact course and supporting evidence for assessment. FEDANT’s Education Committee considers the course structure, content, learning outcomes, teaching arrangements, assessment, learner information and the applicable safety and professional requirements.
Where relevant, training programmes are considered against FEDANT approved standards, applicable National Occupational Standards and current professional guidance. Accredited status is granted only where the submitted evidence satisfies the requirements for the accreditation route being considered.
Exact Course Assessment
Accreditation applies to the exact course title, content, delivery and evidence submitted for review.
Education and Safety
The assessment considers the applicable education, safety, quality and core professional elements.
Verifiable Approval
An accredited course receives a FEDANT Education Provider/Course Number and is added to the applicable published list.
Ongoing Quality Review
Accredited courses are regularly reviewed to confirm that they continue to operate within the approved requirements and parameters.
Accreditation Routes
National Course Accreditation and Verification
NCAV is used for applicable entry courses designed to prepare learners for a corresponding category of the FEDANT National Register. The submission must demonstrate that the required core elements for the relevant category are included and assessed.
National Relative Sector Award
NRSA is used for eligible specialist or vocational training and Relative Sector Awards that do not fall specifically within an established FEDANT professional registration category. The submission must demonstrate an appropriate link to pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period, infancy or early parenthood and satisfy the requirements of the relative sector route.
Continuing Professional Development
CPD accreditation is used for learning intended to support continuing knowledge and competence. CPD does not itself extend a registrant’s approved FEDANT National Register category.
Course Delivery
Face to face, live online, distance learning and blended learning courses may be considered for accreditation. The delivery method must be suitable for the learning outcomes, assessment and practical or supervised elements of the exact course.
Approval of one delivery method does not automatically extend to a materially different version of the course. Providers should identify the proposed delivery format clearly within the application.
Before You Apply
Choose the Correct Route
Identify whether the course should be considered under NCAV, NRSA or CPD accreditation.
Check the Core Elements
For an NCAV application, review the applicable core element requirements before preparing the submission.
Use the Exact Course Title
The title used throughout the application, syllabus, prospectus and sample certificate must be consistent.
Prepare Complete Evidence
Review the Supporting Documents section below and have the required evidence ready before beginning the online application. Assessment cannot begin until the completed application, supporting evidence and applicable fee have been received. Missing evidence may delay consideration.
Supporting Documents
The application requires sufficient evidence for the Education Committee to understand how the course is designed, taught, assessed and quality assured. Providers should be ready to submit:
Provider Information
- A description of the education provider’s facilities
- A list of equipment used for the course
- CVs for teaching staff or facilitators
Course Information
- Course prospectus
- Course syllabus
- Learning outcomes
- Sample lesson plan
- Copies of handouts or presentation slides
Assessment and Quality
- Assessment information and marking arrangements
- Practical or supervised learning requirements where applicable
- Relevant learner and quality assurance policies
Sample Certificate
- Name of the graduate
- Exact accredited course title
- Full name of the awarding education provider
- Space for the FEDANT education provider logo and accreditation number
- Date of graduation or issue
The Accreditation Process
Review the Requirements
Choose the appropriate accreditation route and check the applicable core elements or relative sector requirements. The course lead must hold current FEDANT National Registration in an appropriate category before a course accreditation application can be considered.
Apply, Upload Evidence and Pay
Complete the current Course Accreditation Form, upload the requested supporting documents and pay the applicable fee. Assessment cannot begin until the application, evidence and fee have been received.
Application Compilation and Clarification
The administration team compiles the submission before it is reviewed by a liaison to the Education Committee. You will be contacted if evidence is missing or clarification is required.
Checks Before Panel Consideration
When the submission is complete, FEDANT confirms the date on which the Education Committee panel will consider the application.
Committee Assessment and Outcome
The Education Committee assesses the exact course and supporting evidence against the applicable accreditation requirements. FEDANT then confirms whether accreditation is granted, further information or resubmission is required, or the application is declined.
Approval Documents, Course Number and Listing
Where accreditation is granted, the approval documents are completed and exchanged. The course receives an Education Provider/Course Number, is added to the applicable published list and the provider receives instructions for describing and displaying the approval. Where appropriate, relevant service commissioners may also be notified.
Possible Assessment Outcomes
Accreditation Granted
Accreditation may be granted for an applicable graduate, postgraduate, relative sector or entry course. An approved CPD course may also be assigned the relevant point value.
Further Information or Resubmission
The Committee may request clarification, additional evidence or amendments. Where a resubmission period is specified, the revised course should be returned within that timeframe.
Accreditation Declined
Accreditation may be declined where the submitted course or evidence does not meet the applicable requirements. Current fee and rejection arrangements are shown in the published Fee Schedule.
Accreditation Applies Only to the Approved Course
Accreditation does not automatically cover every course offered by an education provider. The FEDANT education provider logo, accreditation wording and Education Provider/Course Number must be used only in connection with the exact approved course.
The course lead must hold current FEDANT National Registration in an appropriate category as a condition of course accreditation. Course accreditation and each graduate’s personal application for admission to the FEDANT National Register are nevertheless separate assessments. Completion of an accredited course does not itself grant personal registration.
Providers must notify FEDANT of material changes to the approved course, including changes to its title, content, assessment, delivery or course leadership. Prospective learners can confirm the exact approved course title and Education Provider/Course Number on the Accredited Education and Service Providers list.
Ready to Submit a Course?
Read the applicable requirements and have the supporting documents ready before beginning. If you are unsure which accreditation route applies, contact the Education Committee Support Team through FEDANT.