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Angling Trust Coach Licence

Written By: Press Office On Date: 22/10/2014 The Angling Trust, as the National Governing Body for angling, is the only organisation which offers angling coaches a Licence to Practise scheme. This proves to parents, children, groups, organisations and others that you are appropriately qualified and regularly engage in training to maintain the highest possible coaching standards. It also gives them assurance that: you have met the highest safeguarding standards established and supported by the NSPCC and Child Protection in Sport Unit; all relevant and appropriate checks have been completed and training undertaken. To continue to support these safeguarding standards, the Angling Trust is committed to supporting and increasing numbers of those licensed. This has led to a recent review and restructure of the Licence, making it now even more accessible and affordable and leaving it difficult to argue why a qualified coach would not want to be licensed. The NEW Licence The new licence has been developed to reward and recognise the hard work and commitment made by licensed coaches. The pricing restructure recognises a significant commitment made by the Angling Trust towards safeguarding children and young people in angling to make the scheme much more affordable and beneficial to all coaches. Categories There will be 2 categories in the new Licence: Under 22 category *1 Full category *1 The only difference between the two is the price. Both licence categories will cover both Level 1 and Level 2 coaches and will provide the same level of insurance cover as the current licence. Cost U22 – £19.50 *2 per year if paid by Direct Debit or £24.50 per year if paid by cash/cheque/card/other. Full – £29.50 *2 per year if paid by Direct Debit or £34.50 per year if paid by cash/cheque/card/other. Both licences provide the following: Angling Trust Licence including administration charges and licence card (valued at £35) Insurance cover providing £5million public liability and professional indemnity insurance (valued individually at £59.99) Individual Angling Trust Membership (valued at £25 *3 per person) The total value of the Coach Licence amounts to £119.99 (Full) and you will pay only £29.50 (Full) per year if you pay by Direct Debit. There are a number of additions to the new licence including: • Change to the renewal period of the licence • Addition of a flexible CPD requirement *1 All coaches will be recognised as ‘Licensed’ on Licence cards etc; the terms used are purely for description purposes *2 Payment by annual direct debit allows us to make some administration savings; this saving is passed on to coaches and reflected in the discounted price of the licence. *3 Based on full adult member fee. Renewal The first change to the licence will see the current annual renewal moving from being a yearly renewal to a 3-yearly renewal. This will mean less paperwork for you to complete and return. However we must request that any changes to contact details etc are communicated to us as and when they happen. Failure to keep any paperwork and licence requirements up to date (including First Aid, Safeguarding training and DBS check) may result in a suspension or removal of the licence. Continued Professional Development (CPD) We will now also be encouraging all coaches licensed by the Angling Trust to engage in CPD events over the course of the 3 year Licence. What do the CPD days mean to my Coach Licence? • A coach attending no CPD events will be referred to as a ‘Licensed Coach’ as he/she has still met the required safeguarding standards. • Those coaches who attend more than 3 CPD events over the 3-year period will be recognised as ‘Advanced Licensed Coaches’. There is no difference in safeguarding standards of either licensed coach; the advanced licensed coach status will simply evidence to those who you may coach that you have undertaken recognised professional development to become a better coach. Failure to attend any training will not result in a coach losing his/her licence; coaches will still be able to validate the licence after the initial 3 years through evidencing minimum standards *4. The recognised enhancement may assist in other ways particularly if you are a paid coach looking for the ‘edge’ above others. At the launch of the new coach licence, CPD events that will be accepted as validation events include the following. • Angling Trust CPD days • Angling Trust events such as • Skills Awards training • Coaching Specialisms Further independent CPD delivery partners will be announced and workshops will be promoted each year. Coaching Specialisms The Angling Trust has established a number of Coaching Specialisms and these will also count as validation events as described above. Further information and courses will be launched in due course. *4 These minimum standards are Safeguarding Training, First Aid Training and a DBS check Timeline The information below shows how and when the changes to the licence will be implemented. In the first year: • Prices and categories will change with immediate effect • Additional CPD delivery partners and workshops will be announced over the coming months In the second year: • Additional CPD delivery partners and workshops will be announced • A list of workshops will be promoted In the third year: • All Licensed coaches will now be part of the new licensing scheme End of third year • All coaches will be required to validate their licence. Q&A Q. If the licence is now validated every 3 years but I pay annually, how does it work? A. There are two methods available: • the first and preferred is to pay by direct debit • the second is to be sent a reminder each year and pay by cash/cheque/card/other. The fee for DD payment is £29.50/£19.50 (Full/U22) per year and is discounted to reflect the reduced administration involved in this process. If you choose to pay by another method the fee will be £34.50/£24.50 (Full/U22). A reminder will be sent approximately a month prior to renewal allowing time to organise the best method. Should this payment not be received by the AT in time, your licence will become invalid and you will be required to send all licence cards and paperwork back. Q. I have just renewed my licence, how will this affect me? A. Your licence will continue to be valid following the current rules and requirements; upon your next renewal you will be sent all appropriate information and instructions on the new application. Q. I have just paid £49.50 for my current licence; will I get a refund of the difference? A. Unfortunately not; however you will benefit from the significant price reduction upon renewing your licence after the current period expires. Q. What does U22 mean? A. If you are 21 years and 364 days old you may apply for this category; as soon as you turn 22 you must apply for the next category up. Q. Am I expected to complete the CPD in each 3 year cycle or just once? A. If you wish to maintain the ‘Advanced Licensed Coach’ status then you must complete CPD in each period. You can still remain a ‘Licensed Coach’ without attending CPD however: this part is not essential but recommended.

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