Guidelines for Local ISNA-MSEs and Recognized ISNA-MSE Trainers
Important Notice
The International Snoezelen-Multisensory Environment Association (ISNA-MSE) is an international non-profit organization established to promote the development of Snoezelen and Multisensory Environments worldwide.
ISNA-MSE provides the international framework for Local ISNA-MSEs and internationally recognized trainers, supporting cooperation, professional exchange and high-quality Snoezelen training.
Foundation and Values
ISNA-MSE is a non-profit organization founded on goodwill, for the benefit of all its members and for the development of Snoezelen. Members have rights, roles and responsibilities in this regard.
A particularly important responsibility is to model goodwill, respect and openness towards each other, towards the idea of Snoezelen and towards participants in Snoezelen activities.
International Structure
The main internationally recognized and internationally operating organization is ISNA-MSE. It brings together Snoezelen enthusiasts from all over the world in one association.
ISNA-MSE International is the highest authority and provides the guidelines, legal framework and rules for Local ISNA-MSEs.
These international standards and guidelines also apply to qualified teachers and trainers acknowledged directly by ISNA-MSE International, whether working within or outside a Local ISNA-MSE structure.
Creation of a Local ISNA-MSE
In order to meet the different cultural and social aspects of each country, the creation of a Local ISNA is welcome and encouraged. If several practitioners from one country would like to create a Local ISNA-MSE, this must be approved by the International ISNA-MSE.
ISNA-MSE aims to bring together people working with Snoezelen. Therefore, it is contrary to the idea of ISNA-MSE for individuals on their own or one single person to act as a Local ISNA-MSE.
Furthermore, individuals cannot claim to be a Local ISNA-MSE without having met the legal requirements for creating an association in the specific country and without the written approval of ISNA-MSE.
If, in one country, there are two or more actors, parties or interest groups willing to create a Local
ISNA-MSE, they must first reach an agreement before it is possible to create a Local ISNA-MSE in that country. Only one officially recognized Local ISNA-MSE should exist per country.
ISNA-MSE and its board members may help representatives of Local ISNA-MSEs to find solutions and facilitate communication between different parties wishing to create a Local ISNA-MSE.
If there is no Local ISNA-MSE acknowledged by ISNA-MSE, a group of practitioners or professionals may join ISNA-MSE directly or submit a membership request to another Local ISNA, typically in a neighboring country or one sharing the same language.
ISNA-MSE considers it a conflict of interest if a company that sells Snoezelen equipment initiates a request to become the Local ISNA-MSE, even if the owners are trained and accredited in Snoezelen. The Local ISNA-MSE should be a group of professionals and practitioners that a company may join, and not the reverse.
ISNA-MSE does not endorse any particular commercial enterprise.
Objectives
The main goals of the Local ISNA-MSE should be:
to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and practices;
to promote research and development;
to establish training standards that comply with those of ISNA-MSE;
to remain open to new ideas and developments that enrich the method. In order to continue setting high standards, the Local ISNA-MSE accompanies local developments in Snoezelen and evaluates them in coordination with the International Board.
Organization of the Local ISNA-MSE
Individuals, whether active or passive, may become members.
Institutions and enterprises, including those selling Snoezelen materials, are welcome to become members of the Local ISNA-MSE.
It is necessary that the Local ISNA-MSE association be legally created and registered in the specific country, following and complying with the regulations of that country.
The Local ISNA-MSE is legally responsible and liable for all its activities.
ISNA-MSE and Local ISNA-MSE
In order to be recognized, the Local ISNA-MSE association must register with ISNA-MSE as an institutional member. The Local ISNA-MSE pays the annual fee to ISNA-MSE. For information: the fee is 150 euros per year as of 2027.
Members of the Local ISNA-MSE may also benefit from advantages offered by ISNA-MSE, such as, but not limited to, reduced registration fees for an international Snoezelen congress organized in partnership with ISNA-MSE.
Training Certificates
The Local ISNA-MSE association has the authority to issue training certificates on its own behalf for the training courses it offers.
The Local ISNA-MSE may use the ISNA-MSE logo with the statement “Recognized member of ISNA-MSE”.
The Local ISNA-MSE also has the authority to offer training courses to accredit new trainers and teachers who meet the criteria of the Local ISNA-MSE association.
The Local ISNA -MSE may recommend these locally certified trainers, who meet international standards, to the ISNA-MSE Board of Directors for the award of an ISNA-MSE international qualification. This enables them to offer courses on an international basis as well.
If ISNA-MSE wishes to promote a new Snoezelen teacher or trainer for the country of the Local ISNA-MSE, ISNA-MSE must ensure and verify the professional, didactical and personal competences of the person concerned. Typically, this can be done by one of the board members, ideally someone who has trained this new trainer, worked with them in practice and delivered training together with them.
The promotion of a new trainer proposed by ISNA-MSE must be carried out in collaboration with the Local ISNA-MSE. The goal is to share and agree on the same criteria and ideas regarding training and international certification in the country.
ISNA-MSE may integrate the new teacher into the Local ISNA-MSE. If there is a conflict of interest, the aim is to find a good compromise and establish cooperation. If diplomacy and collaboration do not lead to success, ISNA-MSE may decide to acknowledge the new teacher, as ISNA-MSE is the highest authority. This should remain the exception.
All training must follow the guidelines of the ISNA-MSE standards and must be approved initially and renewed every three years for approval. A list of current training approvals and international trainers will be published on the ISNA-MSE website.
Trainer accreditation is carried out either by Local ISNA-MSEs recognized by ISNA-MSE International or directly by ISNA-MSE International.
VIII. Membership and Reporting
At the end of each year, by 31 December, the Local ISNA-MSE association is responsible for producing a summary report including:
its activities as a Local ISNA-MSE;
the number of registered members;
the number of members who have paid their annual contributions;
the number of professionals or practitioners who have successfully completed the full training during that year and in total;
the updated training standards of the Local ISNA-MSE.
Annual Reporting Overview
AREA | REQUIRED INFORMATION |
Activities | Summary of Local ISNA-MSE activities |
Membership | Registered and paying members |
Training | Completed trainings and certifications |
Standards | Updated training standards |