Q: Why do Paddlesport coaches need to hold a CRB disclosure with the BCU
The requirement for coaches to hold a current CRB through
the BCU is one of the measures that have been put in place to ensure that we
are doing our best to ensure the protection of young people and vulnerable
adults within our sport. This requirement applies to Canoe England coaches at
UKCC Level 2 and above, as well as all ‘old scheme’ coaches and Level 1 coaches
seeking recognition as updated and active coaches within the BCU Coach Update
Scheme.
It is a requirement that has been put in place as part of
the ‘Advanced Standards for Safeguarding Young People in Sport’ and guidelines
set out by the Child protection in Sport Unit of the NSPCC, UK Sport and Sport
England, and is in line with current best practice. As a responsible national
governing body the BCU will assess and manage any information received as part
of the disclosure to ensure that BCU qualified coaches are do not pose a risk
to the paddlers in their care.
The BCU currently has a
Portability Policy in place which allows coaches holding an Enhanced CRB
Disclosure through another organisation to use this for BCU activity.
Eligibility criteria for CRB Portability can be found in the Safeguarding
and Protecting Children Guidelines G23.
Q: I have tried logging into the LTPD website but not received my Login and Password email, how do I get them?
This problem is being addressed at the moment. If you still have not received your login and password email after registering onto the website then please contact [email protected] letting them know your name, BCU number and email address. They will then be in touch with your information.
Q: What is UKCC and why the change to UKCC qualifications for BCU?
A: The UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) is an endorsement of sport-specific coach education. Coaches follow an approved course of coach education and, on completion, receive a UK-recognised, certified qualification. Introducing the UKCC means all coaches qualified at a certain level will share the same degree of competence. It recognises the role of the coach as integral to the sporting experience, from introductory to performance level.
The benefits of the UKCC will be felt by both the coach and the sport. For the coach, the UKCC will raise the profile of coaching, focus training on their needs, and make skills and qualifications valid and transferable throughout the UK.
For sports, the UKCC will ensure a consistent standard of coach education between and within sports, improve the quality of the coaching experience for participants and performers and will mean employers are clearer about the skills and limitations of each level of coach, making workforce planning easier.
The contents of the syllabuses and assessment materials for BCU (UKCC) qualifications are developed by the BCU and the awards are delivered through BCU approved delivery centres e.g. Canoe England. The qualifications conform to the government endorsed quality standards of the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) and the UK Coaching Framework.
The UKCC qualifications are recognised and funded by the English Government and Sport England. Currently, more than 21 sports have UKCC endorsed qualifications with more in development. The BCU agreed to implement UKCC awards following the Paddlesport review and agreement by Home Nation coaching committees.
Q: I am an existing BCU coach. Do I need to transfer to the new scheme?
A: No – your existing coaching awards will remain valid indefinitely providing you remain updated and hold current home nation membership. However, a range of opportunities will exist for you to transfer should you desire to do so. We would encourage you to consider these options and transfer where relevant.
Note: Two Star does not update or transfer you onto the new UKCC system. UKCC status can only be achieved after a UKCC course assessment.
Q: Why are the new awards also called Levels but don’t align to the Levels of the old scheme?
A: BCU awards have been titled as ‘Levels’ for some time. The terminology used by all UKCC sports are defined by Sports Coach UK and are also levels 1-5. Within the BCU, we refer to the non-UKCC scheme as the ‘former’ or ‘old’ scheme, or simply as BCU Level 2, meaning old style Level 2.
Q: I have gained a UKCC qualification in another sport. What do I do to gain the same level in paddlesport?
A: UKCC awards are assessed awards and to gain a BCU UKCC qualification, you would require to pass an assessment at that Level i.e. if you are already a Level 1 in another sport it would not be possible to become a Level 1 in canoeing without completing an assessment. However, the coaching behaviours delivered at each Level in all UKCC sports should similar, and therefore, it is possible you may be able to attend a transfer module and therefore shortcutting the full training requirement. Alternatively, dependent on your paddling experience and skills, you may be offered direct entry to the next level. For example, a UKCC Level 1 coach in rugby, with 3 Star, FSRT etc may be offered direct entry to BCU UKCC Level 2 training without the need to hold the BCU UKCC Level 1 award. Either way, if you hold a UKCC endorsed qualification in another sport, you would be encouraged to apply for APL.
Q: Do I need to start at Level 1?
A: We would normally require coaches to enter the coaching scheme at Level 1, developing coaching behaviours and skills. However, candidates who wish to enter the scheme directly into Level 2 Training may apply via the BCU Accredited Prior Learning (APL) scheme. Applications are considered by a panel, who are looking for evidence that the candidate has prior learning or experience that equates to the BCU Level 1 Training and or Assessment Package. Further information on the APL requirements is available here.
Q: I have completed the old style Level 3 training – can I still attend assessment?
A: Yes, although level 3 training in the old scheme ended in July 2008, assessment will continue until the end of 2010.
Q: I am already a BCU Level 3 coach in one discipline and would like to gain my BCU Level 3 in another discipline but didn’t manage to complete the old style Level 3 training before it ended in July 2008. Is there any way I can go straight to assessment?
A: The pre-requisite for old style Level 3 assessment is Level 3 training in the same discipline. However, as this training is no longer available (after July 2008), candidates may apply for APL from this training and be allowed to proceed directly to assessment. Download the APL notes and form from the here.
Q: I would like to coach competition, what opportunities exist for me?
A: As a potential competition coach you still enter the scheme and progress to the highest level as they become available. Once you have completed Level 1, you can attend a discipline specific competitive module to give you the required, specific technical skills.
Q: The pre-requisites of the new 3 Star Sea award asks for “evidence of at least one session of about three hours duration in an alternative discipline” Does this refer to a single blade (canoe) discipline and not an alternative kayak discipline i.e. river, surf, slalom K1.
A: The 3hrs could be in any other discipline (kayak or canoe). The new BCU 2 Star award covers both canoe and kayak, and therefore this covers anyone attending the new BCU 3 Star. However, to allow for those without the new BCU 2 Star, the pre-requisite asks for evidence of the alternative discipline. This evidence is at the discretion of the assessor and a letter, photo, logbook etc to prove that the candidate has suitable experience.
Q: Is the Canoe Safety Test still accepted as a pre-requisite for the UKCC courses?
A: From January 2009 the BCU are no longer accepting the Canoe Safety Test (CST) as a pre-requisite for BCU (UKCC) Level 1 courses. The Foundation Safety and Rescue course is now the only safety qualification accepted onto this UKCC course. If you believe you have the experience but do not wish to take the course then you can apply for APL here.
Q: I am considered disabled but believe I am still capable of coaching and would like to attend a UKCC course, do I need to declare anything and if so, how do I go about doing this?
A: If you have sustained an injury or have a disability that may affect your coaching then you will need to declare it upon registering for the UKCC course. If this is the case you need to complete a Medical Declaration Form, found here and send this in along with your CR Form.
Q: I am an up-to-date BCU coach, but I cannot assess any Star awards, what do I need to do to rectify this?
A: As with the 'old' system the awards you can assess depending on what level coach you are and whether you are 'current'- have up-to-date membership, first aid and revalidation. To register to be able to assess the Star awards you will need to complete a Star Awards Registration Form , which, once completed, will need to be sent to [email protected]
More coming soon!