Teach OTHM level 5 – CAREA Reflexology Academies

Level 5 International Diploma in CAREA Teacher Training

We’re now welcoming more Licensed Training Academies to deliver the Level 5 International Diploma in CAREA Teacher Training.
As demand grows across the UK for this qualification and the skills of our Alumni, we’re expanding our network of Centres of Excellence. Joining as a CAREA Teacher means becoming part of a supportive, collaborative community of educators and students, all working together to offer outstanding reflexology training.

Who are CAREA

Centralia Advanced Reflexology Education Authority (CAREA) was established in 2010 when Centralia originated and then developed Level 5 training. We are the profession specific link between the Awarding Organisation OTHM and the Licensed Academies and their students. Standardisation is important in all qualifications and CAREA supply the training programme, manuals and treatment films to all the Licensed Academies.
All assignments are also standardised so that students know that wherever they choose to learn, there is consistency in every aspect. From the fee structure to shared values and goals and everything inbetween.
The tutors assess all students work, then CAREA sample the students work for quality assurance to ensure that both the student work and the tutor marking is consistently high and relevant to a level 5 qualification. Then a sample is externally quality assured by OTHM before award of certification. Around mid-way of each training programme, CAREA also quality control via a classroom visit which may be actual or remote. Learners have a group discussion with the CAREA representative without their tutor and their tutor is then assessed teaching theory and delivering practical training. Spotlight on the Teachers! All the Centres welcome this rigour and scrutiny as they recognise that it is in place to protect the integrity of the OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Applied Reflexology for Integrated Medicine and to protect the learning experience within a regulated qualification. As Partners, CAREA and the training centres, provide the reflexology training for the future both educationally and professionally.
Whether you are a new teacher for an already established CAREA Licensed Academy or a completely new Academy, you will be fully supported through every stage. Don’t worry if you do not have a teaching qualification as we have that covered too.
For all Licensed Academies, they are guaranteed that CAREA:

Write and revise the syllabus, curriculum, and assessments to ensure that all content and delivery is up-to-date, relevant and meets the required standards
Facilitate the Internal and External verification and quality assurance, to ensure all tutors are delivering, assessing, and marking to the standards required for Level 5 + 6
Are an advisory hub that provides individual tutors with ongoing support for all aspects of academy management, including safeguarding, teaching, and delivery
Hold regular zoom meetings with all academy directors and tutors to guarantee meaningful collaboration and the exchange of best practices
Meet with all Academies and their tutors for a couple of days to exchange new developments, share new practices, make sure standards are upheld and much, much more including an evening over dinner with one another!
At IQA time, there is a Learner Voice forum for every group of learners to guarantee that learners’ views are heard … and responded too
Engage in ongoing support and training to all our licensed tutors and academies to ensure that education, delivery, marking and assessments are consistent and high-quality
Have a direct connection with the awarding organisation OTHM with access to their educational and governance expertise
CAREA continually liaise with OTHM on behalf of the Academies and their students.

What qualifications do I need?

The simplest route is arrived at if you hold the OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Applied Reflexology for Integrated Medicine as you will already be qualified in the CAREA Matrix and you also have a Level 5 equivalent teaching qualification.

Applications are welcomed from graduates of the Agored Cymru Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology (79 credits) as well as quickest route which is the OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Applied Reflexology for Integrated Medicine (120 credits). Other qualifications may also be acceptable and will be subject to review on an individual basis and an initial interview.

The current Level 5 Diploma in Teacher Education and Training is a generic qualification, but the titles for teacher training have changed over the years, so if you have another teaching qualification this may be valid, get in touch to discuss.

No teaching qualification? If you have no teaching qualification you have a choice which is to study for the generic qualification which is largely online, or you can enrol with CAREA on the OTHM endorsed learning programme International Diploma in CAREA Teacher Training which is specific to the Level 5 Diploma in Applied Reflexology for Integrated Medicine. This qualification includes the ‘how to teach’ elements of the generic qualification, but its focus is specific to reflexology!

Not trained in Duopody, CALM and NEPIP? In house certificated training in the CAREA Matrix is available too.

All new Partner Centre tutors must attend inhouse and online training and the cost and number of hours will depend on your existing qualifications, for example:
OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Applied Reflexology for Integrated Medicine (120 credits)
Agored Cymru Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology (79 credits)
Other qualifications
CAREA Matrix trained
Teaching qualification

How long does it take to become a tutor?

This will depend on the qualifications you already have and therefore which stages need to be completed. If you already have the OTHM Diploma and are qualified as a teacher, then this is the shortest route and will consist of an induction training programme.

CAREA Matrix training is necessary if you have not qualified in Duopody, NEPIP and CALM treatment techniques and this element is a three day face to face training programme plus assessments.

The International Diploma in CAREA Teacher Training (level 5) is combined learning and you will have class time, online time and self-directed learning time. The Total Qualification Time (the approximate time to complete all elements) is 400 hours. You will be allocated a CAREA specialist mentor to assist in time management whilst you study for the four units.

You will be supported as a Trainee Teacher to deliver teaching sessions (theory and practice) and to be supervised assessing a practical exam at a CAREA Licensed Academy. There may be opportunity to ‘shadow’ for some, or even all of the course.

What support will I get?

CAREA have several routes to becoming a Licensed Academy. From March 2025 we have the amazing OTHM fully endorsed programme – International Diploma in CAREA Teacher Training (Level 5), which covers everything you need to learn how to teach adults, but also covers every aspect of the syllabus, core curriculum for the OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Applied Reflexology ensuring that you are competent and cofident from day 1 in front of a classroom of adult learners! Whichever route taken (see below in what qualifications do I need), you will be supported the whole way. With a dedicated training team, there will be opportunity for face to face as well as online support. And of course they will be available by email, by telephone as well. They are all qualified teachers and have or are still currently running their own Centres, and are also all qualified Internal Quality Assurers as well, which means you couldn’t be in better hands!

Qualification packs are in place for home study, but as above, if you get stuck, need advice, are not sure about something … all you have to do is call!

The support is not confined to the application and study stages, because when you teach the OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Applied Reflexology for Integrated Medicine you become a part of the CAREA family. We are a family that looks after one another in the good times and the less than good times too, both personally as well as professionally.

I haven’t been taught Duopody, can I still become a CAREA academy?

Absolutely, if you haven’t studied Duopody, then this will be included as part of your training to become an accredited CAREA tutor and/or Licensed Academy. You will be taught the Duopody technique, along with all the other CAREA Matrix treatments.

Where will I train to be a Licensed Academy tutor?

You will have to complete some practical tutoring and assessing tasks and these can be done at your nearest CAREA Licensed Academy.
The majority of the tasks and assignments will be completed in your own time. There will be online support and online tuition. The online tuition will be a mixture of pre-recorded lessons and others will be live online tutorials with a CAREA Tutor. This mix of face to face combined with live online teaching, is called blended learning.

How long does it take to become a tutor?

How do I find out more?