Frequently asked questions
For simplicity, FAQs are divided into two parts: One for Hairdressers and one for Consumers. Some information is common but we hope the core facts will be of interest and benefit to all.
Mainly for hairdressers
Is the Hairdressing Council a trade body like the Fellowship, Guild and NHF? If not, what is it?
Not a trade body but the statutory body for hairdressers, set up by law - the Hairdressers Registration Act - in1964, to establish and maintain an official register of qualified hairdressers.
What’s the background to this?
Since the late 19th century, hairdressers had wanted their own register. Several Bills went before Parliament to bring this in but failed for various reasons. Then, in 1964, Parliament passed the Hairdressers Registration Act. However, registration was left a voluntary option. Ever since the Act was passed,the hairdressing industry – supported by consumer interests and much of the media - have campaigned for the voluntary option to be changed to a mandatory requirement.
Who is on the Hairdressing Council - and who decides that?
The composition - or membership - of statutory bodies are laid down in their governing Acts. In the case of the Hairdressing Council (or HC), the law requires appointment of 15 members: four employers, four employees, two doctors and five independents. The law specifies who appoints those members: employer appointments are made by the Guild of Hairdressers and National Hairdressers’ Federation (NHF); employee appointments by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) and medical appointments by the British Medical Association and Royal College of Physicians. Then, those members appointed by Guild, NHF and trade union, appoint five specialist independents. Over the years, these independents have included teachers, trichologists, lawyers and, almost always, Members of Parliament.
So who is entitled to inclusion on the official register?
Any hairdresser with evidence of training to a standard approved by the HC. In current terms that means NVQ level 2, or its equivalent. However, any hairdresser with six or more years practical experience who can produce evidence of training by any recognisable route, may well be entitled to inclusion. They may, for instance, have trained and qualified abroad or served an apprenticeship.
And what does registration mean?
It means a person is officially certified by law as qualified to practise on the public.
So what does registration cost?
Twelve months inclusion on the official register is available for £33 by direct debit or for £36 by other payment routes.
And are there other advantages to being a State Registered Hairdresser?
Quite a number; in addition to official recognition, State Registered Hairdressers or SRHs enjoy:
- Their names on the HC web-site – the only listing of officially recognised stylists available in Britain;
- a certificate showing they are recognised by Act of Parliament;
- the right to use the initials SRH after their name (initials which mean something);
- the right to apply for the Master Craftsman Diploma. (Only SRHs can obtain the Master Craftsman Diploma).
- credentials that are useful or even necessary for some senior hairdressing positions or when hoping to practise in Europe, America or elsewhere.
- access to free advice
- access to possibly the cheapest insurance cover available in Britain;
- access to the exclusive ‘members area’ on the HC web-site;
- every issue of the highly rated ‘HAIRDRESSER’ magazine
- access to a range of SRH promotional goods;
- chance to attend receptions in Parliament and meet politicians, industry figures and ‘top name’ stylists.
However, above all else, SRHs belong to an elite group of registered professionals. Others include chiropodists, osteopaths and physiotherapists as well as the major professionals such as doctors, dentists and nurses.
Are there any commercial advantages to being registered?
All available evidence suggests the vast majority of consumers believe every hairdresser is registered already. But let’s suppose you and I own adjacent salons; I am an unregistered operator while you are a State Registered Hairdresser. It hardly takes a marketing expert to work out which of us has the commercial advantage; always provided it is utilised properly, of course. No doubt this explains why so many successful ‘top name’ stylists are State Registered Hairdressers and advocate registration to their staff and other colleagues.
Does the Hairdressing Council approve of and work with the trade bodies?
Yes, the HC works closely with all the trade bodies and has organised many gatherings of them. In addition, many of the trade bodies have seats on the HC itself.
Does the HC receive subsidies and financial help from government?
Contrary to common belief, the HC has received no financial help whatever from government - not even when first set up. For over four decades, the HC has depended entirely on the fees of State Registered Hairdressers.
What does the HC do with any profit it makes?
As a statutory body, the HC objective is to balance its books, not to seek profits. Should a minor surplus 'income over expenditure' occur, it goes into expanding the benefits for SRHs.
Will the present voluntary system be made compulsory for all hairdressers?
It is to be hoped so. As things stand, hairdressers are denied the professional status they seek and consumers are denied the assurance to which they are entitled.
Has action been taken to persuade government to change the 1964 law?
It has and will continue to be taken. Government – both officials and ministers – are lobbied regularly about the issue, as indeed are all MPs.
What are the obstacles to success?
Getting to the top of the political agenda and finding parliamentary time are the main problems, rather than the support of MPs which is both strong and widespread.
And the chances of success, eventually?
They must be good, in time. Sooner or later, governments look for voter friendly measures to introduce. They may be surprised how popular regulation of hairdressing is with the public. It may well be a question of when regulation comes – rather than if.
In the meantime, what can hairdressers do - status wise?
Many politicians emphasise that hairdressing has its own register and that there’s no need for a change in the law. The MPs say that “If hairdressers believe in registration they should register voluntarily now, rather than wait for a change in the law that would compel them to register”. That's food for thought.
It makes sense for every hairdresser who supports registration to be registered. Those interested should call: 020 8771 6205