The sleep industry is crying out for regulation

The recent BBC investigation has highlighted a concern I’ve had for a long time: sleep support is crying out for regulation.

Right now, anyone can call themselves a sleep consultant, coach, expert or therapist. There’s no governing body, no formal regulation, and no minimum standard of training or qualifications required.

It’s a rapidly growing field, and there are many brilliant professionals doing valuable work. Families do need support with sleep. But when we’re working with vulnerable, sleep-deprived parents and giving advice about babies and children, t’s concerning that there’s so little accountability or safeguarding in place.

As a registered nurse of 17 years, with a background in clinical standards, safeguarding and governance, I am acutely aware of the importance of evidence-based practice and patient safety being at the forefront of everything I do. 

I fully support the calls from charity organisations for greater regulation within the sleep industry. Sleep is a fundamental part of health and well-being and it deserves to be treated as an essential support service, but it must be delivered safely and responsibly.

My biggest concern is that parents may start to feel that they cannot trust the advice they are being given. Support should feel reassuring, not confusing or conflicting.

If you are looking for help, please don’t be afraid to ask questions. Check qualifications and experience, read reviews, and have a conversation before committing. Ask how someone works, what guidance they follow, and what kind of advice they give. There are excellent, evidence-based resources available, so if something doesn’t align with safe sleep guidance, that should be a clear red flag.

I did train as a “certified” infant sleep consultant, and the training I completed was high quality but I don’t believe learning stops there. I maintain my sleep knowledge in the same way I maintain my nursing registration: through ongoing learning, reflection, and professional development.

I keep up to date with guidance from the NHS and NICE, attend training and webinars from trusted organisations such as The Lullaby Trust and BASIS and continue to build my knowledge through further study. I’ve delivered safe sleep training to student health visitors at Glasgow Caledonian University, and I’ve also trained in evidence-based insomnia treatment with Professor Jason Ellis through The Sleep Charity and continue to participate in supervision.

I would welcome regulation in this industry and believe it is greatly needed. In the meantime, I actively encourage my clients to question me, challenge me and hold me accountable.

Raising standards benefits everyone, especially the families we support.