Under the Osteopaths Act 1993 the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) is the statutory regulatory body for osteopaths and osteopathic education providers. The GOsC ensures that courses of osteopathic education meet its requirements for standards and quality, as well as governance and management of the course provider. Those that do are recognised and awarded Recognised Qualification (RQ) status. This allows graduates from those courses to register with the GOsC and practise osteopathy legally in the UK. The RQ is subject to approval from the Privy Council.
Decisions concerning the granting, maintenance and renewal of RQ status are made following reviews of osteopathic courses and course providers. These reviews are conducted by QAA under contract from the GOsC. The review method is known as GOsC Review.
Handbooks for GOsC Review
The current handbook describes how the review method will operate until 31 August 2012.
Handbook for the General Osteopathic Council Review of osteopathic courses and course providers (second edition)
From 1 September 2012 a new Handbook for course providers will come into operation, alongside a new Handbook for review visitors:
These will be supported by the following ancillary information:
Please note that the new handbooks refer to the GOsC’s Osteopathic Practice Standards and the UK Quality Code for Higher Education (2011). The former is replacing the Standard 2000: Standard of Proficiency and the GOsC’s Code of Practice. The latter brings together those reference points known collectively as the Academic Infrastructure. Both the Osteopathic Practice Standards and the Quality Code will come into effect on or before 1 September 2012.
Consultation analysis
The new handbooks and supporting information were developed in consultation with course providers and other stakeholders. An analysis of the consultation and a description of the changes made in response is available:
Recognised Qualification Annual Report form
The consultation on GOsC Review included proposals to revise the Recognised Qualification Annual Report form. The new form is now available:
Review reports
GOsC Review reports are published on the GOsC website.