CPD VS. OFQUAL-REGULATED QUALIFICATIONS – AND WHY OUR COMBINED APPROACH MATTERS

CPD VS. OFQUAL-REGULATED QUALIFICATIONS – AND WHY OUR COMBINED APPROACH MATTERS

CPD (Continuing Professional Development)

Purpose: CPD courses are designed to add to your existing skills or knowledge. They help you stay up to date, build confidence, and expand your portfolio.

Recognition: Usually accredited by an external professional body (ours are accredited with ThinkTree), but not government regulated.

Flexibility: CPD courses are shorter, flexible, and can go into as much depth as the training provider chooses.

Practicality: Perfect for topping up skills or learning new techniques.

👉 At Jane Bryan Beauty Training, our CPD courses are deliberately more in-depth than most regulated qualifications. For example, in blemish removal training, you’ll cover many more blemish types than the Ofqual-regulated standard.

Ofqual-Regulated Qualifications (e.g., Focus Awards, VTCT, CIBTAC)

Purpose: Official qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England.

Recognition: Monitored by Ofqual, which means strict quality, assessment, and delivery standards.

Progression: Carry formal credits, allowing you to progress to higher-level qualifications and further training.

Insurance/Employability: Widely recognised by employers, insurers, and regulators.

⚠️ However, these qualifications often cover only the minimum required – for example, just five blemish types for advanced cosmetic procedures  – and the depth of theory and observations can feel limited compared to what’s really needed in practice.

Future Regulations: Why This Matters Now

It is widely expected that new government regulations will be introduced for advanced cosmetic procedures – and other treatments. When is still unclear, but the direction is certain.

Once in place, accredited CPD courses alone are unlikely to remain sufficient to practice legally.

Crucially, awarding bodies such as VTCT, CIBTAC, and Focus Awards will not accept CPD certificates as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

This means that even if you already hold CPD certificates, you would still need to go back and complete a regulated qualification to meet the new requirements.

👉 In other words: CPD is valuable for skills, but Ofqual qualifications will future-proof your career.

How We Deliver Our Focus Awards Qualifications

We believe therapists deserve more than the minimum, which is why we’ve created a two-step pathway that combines the best of CPD with the security of Ofqual.

1.      Step 1 – In-Depth CPD Training

o   Home study to build strong theory foundations.

o   For blemish removal this is 2 days of intensive, hands-on practical training.

o   Case studies to embed confidence in real practice.

o   On completion, you receive a ThinkTree-accredited CPD certificate.

2.      Step 2 – Focus Awards Ofqual Qualification

o   Completion of Focus Awards theory assessments.

o   Three formal observations (which can be carried out via Zoom).

o   Award of your Ofqual-regulated qualification, providing official recognition and future progression routes.

The Benefit of Our Combined Approach

With us, you don’t just tick the boxes – you get:

ü  Comprehensive training with far more practical depth than most regulated qualifications.

ü  A ThinkTree CPD certificate, giving you credibility now and the ability to earn from this new skill quicker than via an Ofqual regulated course.

ü  An Ofqual-recognised qualification, giving you the formal recognition insurers, employers and regulators require.

ü  Future security, because when regulations change, you’ll already hold the qualification framework that will be required.

👉 In short: CPD sharpens your skills today, Ofqual gives you recognition for tomorrow – and with us, you leave with both.