How to apply to be
listed on the register

For a number of years in the UK, it was recognised that it would be helpful to create minimum standards for practitioners working in the field of Equine Assisted Services that was inclusive of all modality whether that be education, physical or psychological therapy or therapeutic activities. Both human and equine participants needed to be supported and protected.

Whilst there was wide recognition that the sector would benefit from being able to evidence the benefits and outcomes of their work through a collective voice, particularly when considering national policy or funding decisions, there were many different organisations and networks involved. It was agreed that a collective of organisations with experience and expertise in their respective fields would work together to create the register. A Steering Group was established and in 2021 as a pilot under the HETI umbrella, work to create the UK Register began.

The UK Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) is managed by the Equine Assisted Services Partnership Board

The applications are peer reviewed by members of the Board or appointed by the Board working in pairs. They follow a checklist based on the applicants checklist to make sure that all the documents and statements have been included. They do not make any value judgments about the applications but check to make sure that all sections have been completed and all requirements satisfied. The pairs complete a declaration of interest form to make sure that there is no unconscious bias and that there is no personal or professional conflict. Where there is any potential conflict which cannot be mitigated, a third reviewer will be involved to reach a majority decision. It is intended that the pool of peer reviewers will be widened.

A fee structure has been applied to cover the administrative costs involved with reviewing and verifying documentation, database maintenance, website development and marketing.

The costs are structured according to the size of each organisation.

Annual Fees

Upon successful application you will receive a Certificate  and logo which can be used on your website and promotional documentation. We know that some grant makers expect to see this ‘kitemark’ before they will consider funding applications

Joining the Register is voluntary and is not an accreditation. However, consultation with funders indicates that being part of the register will indicate competency to practice and will influence funding decisions.

Yes, members of HETI were provided with a payment exemption coupon as part of the pilot study. Now that the validity of the register and the process for application has been tested, HETI members will be required to pay a fee like all other organisations.

Training providers are welcome to apply to the Register. Select Training Organisation (any size) from the drop down list when beginning your application.

Virtual and face to face consultation was undertaken and the comments received helped to inform the development of the Register. The feedback received can be seen here: HEIR Overview & Feedback

An overview of the documents and evidence that applicants will need to submit an application can be found here

As a not-for-profit Organisation, we aim to arrange as much of this process as possible electronically to keep costs and delays to a minimum.

Applicants can apply online via the ‘ Join the Register button on the website. This includes a secure Stripe payment portal.

The review process can take as long as 4 – 6 weeks depending on what extra information is required. We aim to be supportive and rather than not accept applicants, the peer reviewers will work with applicants to provide advice about what they need to do to be accepted onto the register.  This can take a while.

• On receipt of an individual’s application and payment, it will be acknowledged by email.
• Upon successful completion of payment and once the Review Panel is satisfied that all required evidence has been submitted and it has reviewed the application, the applicant will be listed on the Register.
• A ‘kite mark’ logo, certificate and social media post will follow.
• The registration year starts from approval date rather than application date to maximise the benefits from membership year
• All applications are received in good faith from applicants.
• If you wish to make a paper application, please contact us. Please note that processing of paper-based applications will take longer and will attract an additional £50 administration fee.

The overall decision making process is based on the criteria  being met. This process could take up to 4 weeks from receipt of all the required evidence. All of our peer reviewer are volunteers with other role and work to do. We want to make sure that there is adequate time to review all documentation and to set up new applicants with their registration and publish their details.

Applicants who have not provided all that is required will be advised that until they do so they will not be included on the register. The reviewers can offer assistance, support and guidance to these individuals or organisations.

Should an application for registration or renewal ultimately fail to reach the outlined criteria, the fee will be refunded minus 25% administration fee.

All applications are received in good faith. In the event that there are valid and evidence based submissions of concern about an individual or organisation who has provided information that is false, their Register entry will be suspended pending the investigation of relevant concerns. This procedure will be carried out by two members of the Board of Directors of EASP with a final review by the Chair as mediator if required.

Applicants who have not provided all of the evidence that is required, will be advised about what they need to submit and that until they do so they will not be included on the Register.

Applicants will be invited to provide additional evidence twice more before incurring additional costs.

No value judgment will be made about either qualifications or experience. The aim is to support practitioners to operate to high quality, safe, ethical practice standards. Each application will be assessed on its own merit against the criteria.

Once applicants have been approved and published on the Register, they will be issued with a logo to use on promotion material, documents and digital resources.

Upon successful application you will receive a Certificate of Compliance and kitemark logo  which can use on your website and all promotional documentation.

Your details will be listed on the Register with links to your website and social media accounts as applicable

The Complaints and Appeals Policy can be found here

Yes you will be required to renew your registration 12 months from the date that you were approved or last renewed, you will be sent an automatic email reminder in advance of your renewal date. You should only need to provide evidence that your insurance has been updated and notify us of any changes in contact details.

There has been lots of discussion and debate about how best to introduce different levels of membership. When the EAS P Board have worked through some ideas, they will be listening to your views about how this could be implemented to benefit most people.

We acknowledge the validity of existing quality assurance and regulatory mechanisms such as established national organisations where industry standard training is recognised, and where training and qualifications are validated by regulated educational awarding and accrediting organisations. We work to those standards where applicable.

There are many routes to combining professional practice in physical, mental or equine therapies. Click here to see a quick guide

Once an application has been submitted, a preliminary review will be undertaken  within 30 days. Applicants will be kept updated throughout the process if further information is needed before the details can be listed on the Register. This may make the process take a little longer if we are waiting for additional information or documents to be submitted.

EASP takes compliance with the Data Protection Act seriously and have made sure that personal information provided for the purposes of joining the Human Equine Interaction  Register (HEIR) and becoming a member of the Equine Assisted Services Partnership (EASP) CIC complies with The Data Protection Act 2018 which controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government.

You can read the EASP Privacy Notice here

The Equine Assisted Services Partnership (EASP) CIC is an independent entity and a registered Community Interest Company. EASP hosts the UK Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR). If you have paid to join an overseas register, or are covered by a professional regulatory or accreditation body your application to join EASP is entirely unrelated.  

Each Register is designed in accordance with national legislation and considering the needs of the stakeholders within their country. Each will work to a set of agreed standards which are probably similar but not identical.

We don’t want to create any unnecessary bureaucracy and we recognise that there are other standards in place across the sector such as those developed by the National Equine Welfare Council. Self-certification demonstrates your commitment to adhering to these established criteria rather than creating new or duplicate ones. We take this on trust as you will sign a declaration on behalf of your organisation.

There are no plans to introduce site visits at this time. The application to HEIR is based upon each applicant providing documentary evidence or self-declarations. This may be reviewed in the future. 

We will ask that you renew your declarations to maintain the standards that you agreed to at your initial application. We will not require you to repeat the application process from scratch