The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) was established by the Osteopaths Act 1993 to ‘provide for the regulation of the profession of osteopathy’.

The overarching objective of the GOsC is the protection of the public. This involves working towards the following objectives:

• protecting, promoting and maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of the public
• promoting and maintaining public confidence in the profession of osteopathy
• promoting and maintaining proper professional standards and conduct for members of that profession

Our work includes:

• setting and maintaining standards of osteopathic practice and conduct
• maintaining a Register of qualified professionals
• checking and assuring the quality of osteopathic education and training
• helping patients with concerns about osteopaths
• removing from the Register anyone who is unfit to practise

This is the value of regulation: protecting the public by making sure that osteopaths maintain their knowledge and skills; work within a legal and ethical framework; collaborate with other osteopaths and other healthcare professionals; and help build and maintain public trust in osteopathy.