S09 - Session O5 - Horticultural therapy in Ireland: A roadmap to professionalisation

Authors: Natalie Batsch *

Despite practitioners working with vulnerable service users, horticultural therapy has not reached statutory regulation as a profession either nationally or internationally. In response, this paper examines Ireland's legislative requirements to position horticultural therapy as a CORU regulated health and social care profession under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. A timeline schedule is described, indicating several prerequisite actions necessary prior to seeking statutory designation. The current findings contribute to the advancement of horticultural therapy and support ongoing efforts for professional advancement, recognition and legitimacy as a statutorily regulated profession in Ireland. Relevance extends to international colleagues, providing a platform from which more detailed discussions and research may arise.