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COURSE OVERVIEW

AromaCare recognises that every individual experiences and communicates with the world differently. Learners develop the skills to adapt approaches according to individual preferences, abilities, communication styles and sensory needs.

What Makes the Course Different?

AromaCare moves beyond learning techniques. It teaches learners how to see and understand the individual, not just the care need, and create meaningful experiences and communication strategies that are adapted to each person.

For some learners, AromaCare becomes a new language of connection - creating opportunities for communication, comfort and shared experiences where other approaches may not have been successful.

Through the programme, learners develop the ability to:

Understand individual communication and sensory needs
Recognise different communication styles, sensory preferences and the many ways individuals may express themselves, including through words, gestures, expressions, behaviour and sensory responses. Learners develop the ability to adapt approaches to support comfort, participation and inclusion.

Develop therapeutic touch and adapted massage skills
Develop practical skills in gentle touch, adapted massage techniques and Massage Stories, combining touch, communication, imagination and sensory approaches. Explore how massage movements can be linked with meaningful themes or narratives to support relaxation, comfort, connection and emotional wellbeing.

Explore creative and interactive approaches
Develop an understanding of how individuals experience and respond to their environment, and how aroma, touch, movement, visual resources and activities can be adapted to support individual preferences. Explore how creative approaches can encourage communication, engagement and meaningful participation.

Create aromatic artefacts and personalised experiences
Develop an understanding of how aromatic artefacts, visual supports, sensory activities and creative resources can support communication, memory, relaxation and emotional wellbeing. Learners explore how personalised experiences can encourage connection, positive associations and meaningful interaction.

Develop emotional awareness and resilience in caregiving
Explore emotional intelligence, stress, anxiety, attachment and compassionate caregiving to understand how relationships, emotions and communication influence wellbeing. Learners also develop awareness of their own wellbeing and how AromaCare approaches can support moments of calm, connection and self-care.

Understand person-centred care and therapeutic relationships
Explore the principles that underpin AromaCare practice, including individuality, dignity, choice, communication and meaningful connection. Learners develop an understanding that the intention behind each interaction and the quality of the relationship are central to creating positive and meaningful experiences.

Apply professional practice and safeguarding principles
Develop knowledge of consent, safeguarding, risk assessment, professional boundaries and safe practice. Learners explore how AromaCare approaches can be introduced responsibly while preserving dignity, respecting individual choices and supporting wellbeing.

Integrate AromaCare into real-life settings
Understand how AromaCare principles can be applied within professional, caring and family environments. Learners develop confidence in adapting approaches while recognising responsibilities, organisational procedures and appropriate professional boundaries.

The IFA AromaCare Certificate is delivered through five integrated modules that develop the knowledge, practical skills and professional understanding required to apply AromaCare safely, appropriately and compassionately.

Module	What you will learn
Emotional Intelligence and Wellbeing in Caregiving	Explore emotional wellbeing, therapeutic caregiving and compassionate practice. Develop understanding of emotional intelligence, stress, anxiety, attachment, respectful touch and therapeutic relationships, alongside practical activities and creative resources that support communication and wellbeing.
Anatomy and Physiology	Develop essential knowledge of the body systems relevant to massage, aromatherapy and safe AromaCare practice, supporting informed and person-centred decision-making.
Professional Practice and Legal Framework	Understand the responsibilities involved in safe and ethical AromaCare practice, including communication, consent, safeguarding, risk assessment, confidentiality, professional boundaries, equality, individual rights and autonomy, and health and safety.
Aromatherapy Principles and Application	Explore the foundations of aromatherapy, including essential oil science, extraction methods, chemistry, carrier oils, hydrolats, blending, dosage, contraindications, safety and appropriate application within AromaCare and how aromatic artefacts can be created and used as personalised sensory resources.
Touch and Massage	Develop practical skills in therapeutic touch, adapted massage techniques, massage sequences and Massage Stories, combining touch, communication, imagination and sensory approaches to create meaningful experiences that support comfort, relaxation and emotional wellbeing.

A course that creates meaningful connections
Many learners describe AromaCare as more than a qualification - it becomes a new way of understanding and supporting the people around them.

Whether used at home, in care, education, healthcare or wellbeing settings, AromaCare encourages learners to observe individual responses, recognise different forms of communication and create opportunities for comfort, connection and engagement.

For some individuals, touch, aroma and sensory experiences can provide another way of expressing preferences, building relationships and creating moments of calm and connection. 

Qualification Recognition

The IFA AromaCare Course was originally accredited at Level 2 by LANTRA in 2008, at a time when LANTRA was a regulated awarding organisation recognised by Ofqual.

The IFA currently describes the programme as Level 2 equivalent within its specialist vocational framework. This Level 2 equivalent status is also recognised by the IFA's insurance provider, Alan Boswell, for insurance purposes.

The current IFA AromaCare Course is not an Ofqual-regulated qualification.

Those intending to practise AromaCare in a professional capacity, either in employed or voluntary roles, who are not already qualified aromatherapists, should obtain Level 2 aromatherapy insurance. Eligibility for the IFA's Alan Boswell insurance package requires the individual to be registered with the IFA as a Carer Member. Learners who are working within an organisation should always ensure that introducing AromaCare approaches is consistent with their employer’s policies, procedures and insurance arrangements.

Read about the programme's proud history, recognition and impact under the Accolades & Testimonials tab.

Course Availability and Fees

The IFA AromaCare Certificate is delivered by approved IFA AromaCare Training Providers. Learners enrol directly with their chosen approved Centre, which manages course dates, fees, delivery and learner support.

Once your enrolment has been completed by the Centre and your registration has been submitted to the IFA, you will receive your IFA AromaCare Student ID Card and IFA AromaCare Course Manual.

For course dates, fees and delivery options, please contact an approved AromaCare Centre.

Qualification Specification

Download the full IFA AromaCare Qualification Specification, providing detailed information about the programme, learning outcomes, structure, learner requirements and certification requirements.

COURSE STRUCTURE

LEARNER REQUIREMENTS & INSURANCE

The IFA AromaCare Certificate is designed to be accessible to people from a wide range of professional, caring and personal support backgrounds.

Entry Requirements

You must:

• be 18 years or over at the time of enrolment;
• have sufficient ability to understand and apply the course materials;
• be able to participate safely in practical activities involving therapeutic touch and sensory experiences; and
• have an interest in supporting wellbeing through person-centred approaches.

No previous aromatherapy qualification is required.

You should have sufficient literacy and communication skills to understand the course materials, complete written work and participate in the assessment process.

If you are introducing AromaCare within an organisation, you should also ensure that its use is consistent with your employer's policies, procedures and professional responsibilities.

What Kind of Learner is AromaCare Suited To?

You don't need to be an aromatherapist or have previous experience of massage.

AromaCare is suited to learners who are willing to:

• respect individual choice, dignity and autonomy;
• adapt approaches according to individual preferences, abilities and needs;
• work safely within their own role, responsibilities and level of competence;
• reflect on their practice and consider how AromaCare can be personalised; and
• recognise the importance of communication, consent and positive relationships.

Creativity, sensitivity and flexibility are at the heart of AromaCare. Learners are not taught simply to follow a fixed routine; they learn to respond to the individual and adapt their approach according to the person they are supporting.

Insurance

Appropriate insurance is an important consideration when undertaking and practising AromaCare.

While undertaking the course, learners must have appropriate student insurance covering their practical training activities.

Following successful completion of the IFA AromaCare Certificate, learners who intend to practise AromaCare in a professional capacity, such as within employment, voluntary work or another professional setting, should obtain appropriate Level 2 aromatherapy insurance before providing AromaCare as part of that role.

The IFA's insurance provider, Alan Boswell, recognises the IFA AromaCare Certificate as Level 2 aromatherapist equivalent for insurance purposes.

Student and professional insurance can be obtained through Alan Boswell Group – IFA Aromatherapy Insurance - please note that IFA registration is required.

Learners should ensure that they understand the insurance requirements relevant to their circumstances, work within their role and level of competence, and have appropriate cover in place for the AromaCare activities they undertake.

COURSEWORK & ASSESSMENT

TRAINING PROVIDERS & FEES

Training Provider Standards

IFA-approved Training Providers must meet the IFA's approval requirements, as set out under the Accreditation tab. These include having appropriate policies and procedures covering areas such as equality and inclusion, safeguarding, data protection, complaints, health and safety and risk assessment.

If you have concerns about an IFA-approved Training Provider, or need information about how to raise a concern, please visit the Choose with Confidence page under the Find a Registrant tab, where you can find the relevant IFA procedures.

ACCOLADES & TESTIMONIALS

Professional Recognition

The IFA AromaCare Certificate was originally accredited at Level 2 by LANTRA in 2008, at a time when LANTRA was a regulated awarding organisation. The IFA's insurance provider, Alan Boswell, recognises the IFA AromaCare Certificate as Level 2 aromatherapist equivalent for insurance purposes. The programme therefore has a history of external accreditation at Level 2.

The IFA AromaCare Certificate is not currently an Ofqual-regulated qualification. It is an IFA specialist vocational certificate designed to develop the knowledge, practical skills and professional understanding required to introduce AromaCare approaches within an existing professional, caring or support role.

AromaCare has received support and sponsorship from organisations including Everton Football Club and Knowsley Council. The programme has been praised by the National Autistic Society and has been featured in local and national press for its work with children, adults, families and communities and has even set a Guinness World Record.

Knowsley Council
AromaCare has had a particularly strong history within Knowsley, where the programme was supported by Knowsley Council to provide training for parents, carers and professionals supporting children and adults with additional and complex needs. Since 2011, more than 500 carers in the area have completed AromaCare training. AromaCare has enabled parents and carers to develop practical ways of using aroma, touch, sensory activities and meaningful interaction within family life, while professionals have incorporated AromaCare into care and support programmes.

Bluebell Park School
Christina Loyden — Bluebell Park School Teacher
“We rate well-being very highly on our agenda at Bluebell Park, for both pupils and colleagues. We feel very privileged to have experienced staff within our team who can deliver AromaCare to our pupils on a regular basis, thus creating a relaxing and calming environment through the use of essential oils, promoting both emotional and physical well-being.

The benefit is evident by the change in body language presented by the pupils during these sessions.”

Memory Lane
Kelly Anne Floyd — Memory Lane Dementia Volunteer
“Our members who live with dementia are finding AromaCare very relaxing. I find that some members are becoming a little more chatty during massage. They are then often having a peaceful sleep afterwards.

They are displaying happy, relaxed emotions and on arrival their faces will light up if I have my essential oils ready for a pamper session.”

Knowsley Adult Disability Services
Susan Hampson — Support Worker, Adult Disability Services
“AromaCare is used on a very individual basis... Our service is committed to improving public health and our group of trained staff are constantly finding new ways to incorporate massage and essential oils.”

Mandeville School
Bryony O’Brien — Deputy Head, Mandeville School
“Just over a year ago, Justyna shared with me that her pupil loves to use his sense of smell and researched how this could be developed and found the IFA. We now have four fully trained teachers at Mandeville and they are cascading their knowledge and the benefits of massage and smell to nearly 100 staff at school! Children are benefiting enormously from this therapeutic approach which complements and supports other therapeutic approaches offered.”

These are just some examples of how AromaCare has been incorporated into existing care, education, school, hospice and support environments. The programme has also been supported or delivered through a range of other community and specialist organisations.