With the lighter nights and warmer days heading our way, it is the time of year where we see an increase in coaching initiatives taking place. Ahead of this time, we’d like to issue a reminder to clubs and coaches running coaching sessions of the license to coach requirements.

For a coaching session to take place, there must be a lead coach in place who must meet the requirements of the British Orienteering License to Coach. Any session running without a licensed coach will invalidate the insurance cover and the club could be liable should an incident occur.

The requirements a coach is required to have to hold a license are: (All elements must be achieved)

• Be a current member of British Orienteering.
• Demonstrated competence against the standards at the appropriate recognised Coaching Award Level.
• Hold a valid First Aid certificate.
• Have signed the Coaches Code of Conduct.
• Have undertaken an appropriate safeguarding qualification*:
  • If you coach children (under 18’s) this must be an initial face to face course followed three years later by a refresher course. This can be an online eLearning course or another face to face course.
  • If you coach adults, this can be an online eLearning course or a face to face course.

*In Scotland only, due to the way the CWPS Safeguarding courses operate, there is up to a maximum three month grace period after the safeguarding course has expired to update this. After this time, the coaching license will be invalid.

Safeguarding checks

In England, Wales, & northern Ireland, a DBS/ Access NI safeguarding check is not part of the license as a coach may only coach adults. However, if a coach coaches’ children, it is highly likely that they meet the criteria for a check and require a DBS as well.

In Scotland, a PVG Safeguarding check is required as a coach.

More information on the license to coach can be found here.