Training Claims, Your Professional Future and Red Flags
Training Claims, Your Professional Future and Red Flags
Before you commit to training
Choosing education in the antenatal and postnatal sector is an important investment in your professional future. Before enrolling, you should understand what you will receive, what the training prepares you to do and whether any continuing payments or conditions apply after completion.
Clear information helps you make an informed choice. Qualifications, course accreditation, professional registration and membership are different things. They should not be presented as interchangeable.
Red Flag: Pressured Not to Seek Independent Advice?
Be cautious if a training provider discourages you from contacting FEDANT, checking your eligibility for registration or asking independent questions about your professional status.
If you are told that its own in-house membership scheme is your only option, ask for that claim in writing and check it directly with FEDANT before making further commitments.
FEDANT determines your admission to the FEDANT National Register, not training providers
Groups, Clubs, Organisations, and In-House Membership Schemes
Some students and graduates report being asked to pay continuing fees to remain within a training provider’s club, organisation, in-house membership scheme or franchise, without a clear explanation of the separate role of independent professional registration and regulation.
A provider’s scheme may offer valuable benefits, but membership should not be confused with external professional oversight. Graduates need clear information about what their payments cover, which standards apply and where they can turn if concerns arise.
See how FEDANT supports registered professionals, maintains standards and protects the public in our Regulatory Roles diagram.
Red Flag: Challenge Claims That You Will Lose Your Qualification
As the regulator responsible for admission to our register, we encourage you to check statements about FEDANT directly with us and ask about your eligibility for admission. . For questions about course accreditation or training claims, .
A provider’s membership rules are not automatically conditions for retaining your qualification. If you are told you must remain on its register or buy its CPD to “stay qualified”, ask for the written basis and the consequences of leaving.
- FEDANT Registrants must meet FEDANT’s continuing professional development requirements as set out by the regulator. CPD is not specific to one provider or source.
- A training provider should not present its own membership or CPD conditions as FEDANT requirements.
If you are told that you must remain in its membership scheme or purchase its CPD to maintain your qualification or use of a title, check that claim directly with FEDANT.
Understand What You Are Being Awarded
Ask who issues your qualification or award, what assessment is involved and what the certificate confirms. Establish whether it records attendance, successful assessment or another form of achievement.
If a provider describes training as “accredited”, “recognised” or “approved”, ask which organisation provides that status and what it covers. These descriptions should have a clear, supportable meaning. A provider’s own in-house membership scheme, registration, or award should not be presented as independent external accreditation.
Red Flag: Additional Conditions After Receiving Your Qualification
When you are qualified, you are qualified. Once you have completed the requirements of your qualification and received your award, you are not required to remain within any additional supervisory arrangement.
If you are then told that you must complete additional hours to maintain your award or to be considered qualified, ask whether these were documented requirements of the qualification or separate conditions for use of a brand.
You can contact FEDANT directly about applying for professional registration once you have completed your qualification. FEDANT assesses your eligibility against the requirements for the registration category requested.
You do not need to rely solely on your training provider’s explanation of FEDANT’s admission requirements.
Ask About Continuing Costs and Restrictions
- Before paying, request written information about tuition, assessment, certification and any continuing charges. Ask whether membership is optional, what happens if you leave and whether restrictions apply to teaching materials, advertising or independent practice.
- Significant conditions should be explained before you commit, not introduced unexpectedly after training. Advertising for vocational courses must make significant conditions clear and must not mislead about employment prospects. ASA rules for vocational training.
- Keep copies of the advertisement, prospectus, terms and relevant correspondence. If verbal assurances influence your decision, ask the provider to confirm them in writing.
If a Claim Concerns You
Ask for Clarification
If you receive conflicting information about your qualification, membership obligations or FEDANT status, ask for a clear written explanation before making further payments or changing your professional arrangements.
Contact FEDANT
You may contact FEDANT about statements concerning FEDANT accreditation or registration. Please provide the wording, the provider’s details and supporting documents so the concern can be understood accurately.
Seek Independent Advice
Concerns about advertising may also be raised with the Advertising Standards Authority. Contractual or consumer rights questions may require independent advice.
Our aim is to help students and graduates understand their position, make informed decisions and progress towards safe, responsible professional practice.