Keeping your qualifications up to date and current
Aug 20, 2020
Keeping your qualifications up to date and current
Remaining current
It is important that as Paddlesport Instructors, Coaches, Leaders and Guides, you continually keep your Membership, First Aid and Safeguarding in date. This operational requirement ensures that your qualification remains current.
Membership
Maintaining full National Association membership provides civil liability insurance, professional indemnity and a range of other benefits. Find out more using the links below –
First Aid Training
Holding a recognised and valid First Aid certificate is essential in keeping any British Canoeing qualification current. All Paddlesport Instructors, Coaches, Leaders and Guides have a responsibility to maintain an appropriate and current First Aid award to ensure you can look after paddlers in your care. See our First Aid Policy for full details.
Note:
This does not apply to Paddlesport Instructors that work under direct supervision.
Safeguarding Training
Safeguarding Training is a fundamental requirement and a demonstration of your commitment to protecting everyone who participates in paddlesport. Who you are coaching or leading determines the level of training required. As part of our ongoing review process, we will be introducing changes to our safeguarding requirements for both coaches and leaders.
- From 30th September 2020, all coaches and leaders will need to engage in appropriate safeguarding training as a prerequisite to assessment.
- From 30th September 2020, all qualified leaders will need to engage in appropriate safeguarding training to keep their qualifications valid.
- From 30th September 2020, all coaches and leaders will need to refresh their safeguarding training every three years to keep their qualifications valid and meet Update Scheme requirements.
British Canoeing has a variety of training opportunities available for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders, from face to face programmes if working with children and adults at risk, or low cost eLearning if you do not regularly work with children or adults at risk.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
As an Instructor, Coach, Leader or Guide, you’ll recognise you need to continually maintain your skills to reflect current best practice in paddlesport activity.
British Canoeing recognises the commitment, time and effort made when obtaining qualifications and, aligned with our Educational Philosophy, wants to provide you with ownership of your continual development.
Considering your own areas for development as an Instructor, Coach, Leader or Guide will aid you in selecting appropriate methods of keeping you up to date with current practice, consider new ideas and research, as well as continually improving the experience you provide to others whilst out on the water. To assist you in considering your development areas, you could discuss this with peers, coach developers or mentors, reflecting on your current practice. You may want to use a self-analysis tool which can be used to suggest areas you may want to consider as part of your development.
We encourage that you choose to develop yourself through a variety of means, and seek to recognise formal, non-formal and informal development.
Instructors, Coaches, Leaders and Guides will need to gain 20 points every 3 years.
Development through British Canoeing Programmes
You may choose to use some of the British Canoeing programmes, qualifications and awards, and associated programmes. All programmes, apart from eLearning, are automatically uploaded onto your records.
| Course | Course Title | CPD Points |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Skills Development Courses | PPA Explore and Discipline Specific Award | 10 points |
| Leadership Development Courses | Paddlesport Leader Award training or assessment | 20 points |
| Leadership Development Courses | Leadership training or assessment (any discipline) | 20 points |
| Leadership Development Courses | Advanced Leadership training or assessment (any discipline) | 20 points |
| Leadership Development Courses | Raft Guide course (training) | 20 points |
| Leadership Development Courses | Raft Guide course (assessment) | 10 points |
| Leadership Development Courses | Bell Boat Helm course (training or assessment) | 10 points |
| Coaching Courses and Endorsements | Paddlesport Instructor course (training and assessment) | 20 points |
| Coaching Courses and Endorsements | Coach Award course (training or assessment) | 20 points |
| Coaching Courses and Endorsements | Performance Coach (training or assessment) | 20 points |
| Coaching Courses and Endorsements | Coaching Diploma – residential attendance | 20 points |
| Coaching Courses and Endorsements | Discipline Support Module (any discipline) | 10 points |
| Safety Training Courses | Foundation Safety and Rescue training | 10 points |
| Safety Training Courses | Stadium Safety and Rescue training | 5 points – submitted through application |
| Safety Training Courses | White Water Safety and Rescue training | 20 points |
| Safety Training Courses | Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue training | 20 points |
| Safety Training Courses | Advance Surf Safety and Rescue training | 20 points |
| Safety Training Courses | Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning training | 10 points |
| Safety Training Courses | Open Water Navigation and Tidal Planning training | 10 points |
| CPD courses | Foundation Module | 5 points – submitted through application |
| CPD courses | Intermediate Module | 10 points |
| CPD courses | Guide Module | 10 points |
| British Canoeing Provider/Tutor Training | Any Provider/Tutor training or moderation | 20 points |
Self-Declaration
Instructors, Coaches, Leaders and Guides can choose to keep records of their CPD activities, and upload onto their database records via their membership record. Every three years, 20 CPD points will need to be gained.
Verification
National Associations will select a sample of Instructors’, Coaches’, Leaders’ and Guides’ submissions to verify their CPD submission. Such request does not mean there are any concerns about the application. Where possible, National Associations will notify an individual immediately after submission if selected for verification.
| CPD Activity | CPD Points | Examples of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Structured learning – face to face | 15 points | Certificate of completion, notes, learning outcomes |
| Structured learning – distance learning | 15 points | Certificate of completion, notes, learning outcomes |
| Accredited college / university level of education or training | 15 points | Certificate of completion, notes, learning outcomes |
| Mandatory training orientations / moderations / staff training" | 15 points | Letter of completion, training records, certificate of completion |
| Learning events, workshops, conferences, etc. | 15 points | Certificate of attendance, notes, learning outcomes |
| Reading and reviewing publications | 10 points | Copies of reading and reflection notes linked to practice-based outcomes |
| Enquiry based research | 10 points | Copies of reading and reflection notes linked to practice-based outcomes |
| Peer review activities | 10 points | Evidence of peer review including notes, observations and outcomes |
| Coaching and mentoring (role in ether delivery or being a recipient) | 10 points | Evidence based coaching/mentoring undertaken including letters, notes, observations and practice related outcomes |
| Structured professional observation Shadowing | 10 points | Evidence of observation, reflective practice and practice related outcomes |
| Supervised practice | 10 points | Evidence of participation, observations and outcomes |
| Group work or meetings outside of everyday coaching practice | 10 points | Evidence of participation, role within the session, notes, observations and outcomes |
| Coaching observations to different environments | 10 points | Evidence of participation, reflective notes and practice outcomes |
| British Canoeing eLearning | 5 points | Attendance certificate, reflective notes and practice outcomes |
HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS
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We are pleased to announce a new course date available to book for the BCAB Core Coach Training taking place online.
Mental Health First Aid Training - 20th May 2024 at Glenmore Lodge AWARD IN FIRST AID FOR MENTAL HEALTH AT SCQF LEVEL 5 (1 day course) We are delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to complete Mental Health First Aid Training at Glenmore Lodge Monday 20th May 0830 - 1730. This will be run by Noush Duffy and Mo Samson - two experienced paddlesport coaches, Mental Health First Aid trainers and part of the Paddle Scotland Equality Groups. This Paddle Scotland course is being offered at the subsidised rate of £75 (inc. lunch and refreshments for the day). Bookings close 5 May . Sunday evening accommodation at Glenmore Lodge is also available to book via the link below. We are passionate about supporting paddlesport coaches to increase knowledge in this area so you can better support the people you work with. We'd love it if you could attend. Login to JustGo Then click here to book This forms part of our longer term strategy to increase Mental Health knowledge and awareness within our coaches and leaders and will be the first of other subsidised courses to follow.
We have two upcoming training opportunities for coaches wanting to become a provider of the Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course.
Spaces are available to book for the All Ability session at the 2024 Scottish Women's Paddle Symposium, which will take place 17-19 May 2024 at Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore.
