Tutor Licensing in Scotland

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1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to outline the details of Tutor licensing in Scotland. Since September 2008 Scottish Swimming has been the recognised training provider for UKCC endorsed swimming teaching and coaching awards in Scotland. Part of the role of Training Provider includes Scottish Swimming setting the standards for CPD in Scotland and licensing teachers, coaches, and the tutor workforce in Scotland. DEFINITION OF TERMS To avoid ambiguity the following descriptors have been defined: Tutor Licence a permit that allows the holder to tutor Scottish Swimming educational courses. Licensing the process of granting a licence. Licensing authority the organisation issuing the licence. Licensee the holder of a licence. WHAT IS TUTOR LICENSING? The tutor licence is in two parts which are: 1. Probationary Licence 2. Full licence A licence equates to accreditation to practice. Following the successful completion of the Scottish swimming tutor training programme, candidates will be provided with information which will explain the requirements of the licence and will invite them to apply for a probationary licence. This will be upgraded to a full licence once they have successfully completed competency assessment, SportScotland PDA and Assessor qualification. A licence will be valid for a two year period and will be renewable subject to the holder of the initial qualification meeting specific criteria. The criteria will be based upon accepted best practice. The licence will require the licensee to keep up to date on appropriate teaching/coaching methods and practices as well as and tutoring and assessing skills. BENEFITS OF A TUTOR LICENSING SCHEME The following are a list of benefits for a Tutor licensing scheme: Provides proof of competence. A summary statement of qualifications and experience. Provides some protection for children through membership of the PVG Scheme. Promotes and maintains high standards of Tutoring. Acts as a catalyst to implementing change. External credibility for the profession and for the governing bodies of swimming. Part of a regulated and developing career structure. WHO ISSUES THE LICENCE? The licence for aquatic Tutors in Scotland will be issued by Scottish Swimming.. v5. May

2 SANCTIONS Suspending or removing a licence are options which are available to Scottish Swimming (the Licensing Authority). Suspension will normally occur where an issue has been raised of a serious nature which requires further investigation. (See Appendix III) In situations where a licence has been removed, all criteria will have to be met before the licence can be renewed. The only exception to this is where the Tutor, as a result of being unlicensed, cannot meet the criteria related to actively tutoring. In this situation the Tutor will be provided with a letter from Scottish Swimming explaining that all other criteria have been met. A licence will be re-issued once the outstanding element has been completed. (The above situation would be relevant where the tutor has been employed to deliver courses as part of their job description.) APPEALS An appeals procedure has been established to deal with any issue where a licence has been removed or refused and where this decision is challenged. (Appendix I) COST A Licence will be issued to Tutors in Scotland, subject to the criteria being met, and provided the tutor membership fee for that year has been received. MAKING AN APPLICATION Tutors applying for a licence will be required to meet (as a minimum) the mandatory criteria. Application is via Scottish Swimming Membership System v5. May

3 TUTOR LICENCE Mandatory Criteria: Member of Scottish Swimming with Teacher or Coach Category Level 2 or higher in the choosen discipline(s). Successfully completed technical competency delivery checklist. Successfully completed Scottish Swimming tutor training programme, or hold ASA/1 st 4Sport Tutoring in Sport qualification, hold a Level 3 vocational qualification in training and development or equivalent, Relevant PVG Scheme membership record on Scottish Swimming membership system Adherence to the Scottish Swimming Code of Ethics/Conduct. Signed/Agreed to Scottish Swimming Tutor code of conduct Evidence of having tutored or co-tutored at least 2 teaching and/or coaching courses in the appropriate discipline(s), in each year of the last 2 years (where applicable). Evidence of having attended accredited child protection training (sportscoach UK Good Practice in Child Protection workshop) within the past 3 years. Current up to date Teacher or Coach Membership on Scottish Swimming Membership system. Hold a valid Assessors qualification. TUTOR / ASSESSOR: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To undertake candidate induction and ensure that correct paperwork is completed To support the candidate through the qualification To provide remediation and re-assessment for candidates where necessary To assess candidate evidence against the National standards. to record assessment decisions and provide feedback to candidates on submitted evidence To identify and support candidates who require assessment arrangements To discuss candidate assessment arrangements with colleagues to ensure a standardised approach To attend and participate in Standardisation Meetings For regulated qualifications, to maintain a CPD record and make this available to SQA s External Quality Assurance staff on request To contribute to the centre s review of policies, procedures, learning and assessment material and resources To participate in any Assessment Appeal, as indicated in the centre appeals procedure To participate in any complaint as indicated in the centre complaints procedure To attend and participate in any visits by SQA Quality Assurance staff, as required To be aware of the risk of malpractice and act according to the centre procedure. If you have any specific queries please contact Scottish Swimming Education on: Phone: , or education@scottishswimming.com. v5. May

4 As part of ongoing Quality Assurance it is essential that Scottish Swimming ensures that Tutor Workforce has current, up to date and standard qualification. The documents below will ensure that there is a thorough checklist of the qualifications required to be able to deliver the consistently high standards of courses and to allow everyone involved in the pathway to be clear on their roles and responsibilities. Name: Aquatics Teacher Diving Water Polo Aquafit Assessor Member of Scottish Swimming Licence Details Criteria Aquatics Coach Synchro Early Years Other (Please State) Internal Verifier Certification of Scottish Swimming Tutor Qualification (per discipline) Evidence of a Disclosure Scotland/ PVG check having been done in the last 36 months Evidence of Agreement to Scottish Swimming Tutor Code of Conduct in the last 12months Evidence of having tutored or co-tutored at least 2 teaching and/or coaching courses in the appropriate discipline(s), in each year of the last 2 years Evidence of having attended accredited child protection training (sportscoach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children) within the past 3 years Evidence of active teaching/coaching in the appropriate discipline(s) over the last 12 months Hold a teacher/coach licence at a minimum of level 2 in the appropriate discipline(s) Hold a valid Assessor Qualification Hold a valid Internal Verifiers Qualification (Internal Verifiers only). v5. May

5 Appendix I Process for newly qualified Tutors Undertake Tutor Training Successfully complete Tutor Training Candidate invited to apply for probationary licence Meet Specified Criteria (mandatory) Receive Probationary Licence Maximum of 12 months. Meet Specified Criteria (mandatory and elective) If criteria not met within 12 months licence removed. Receive full Licence Maintain licence. v5. May

6 Process for Licenced Tutors Hold Tutor licence Meet Specified Criteria (mandatory) Apply to renew licence every 24 months If criteria not met within 12 months licence removed. Receive full licence Maintain licence. v5. May

7 Appendix II - Tutor Code of Conduct (Nov V2) A responsible tutor facilitates the development of teachers and coaches through delivering Scottish Swimming approved qualifications. This is achieved by: Identifying and meeting the needs of individuals using the best learning approach possible. Developing teaching and coaching skills through a structured Scottish Swimming approved qualification route. Creating an environment in which individuals are motivated to learn and complete their course. Tutors should comply with the principles of good ethical practice listed below. A licensed tutor must at all times: Follow all guidelines laid down by the Scottish Swimming and hold appropriate insurance cover and qualification Clarify, at the outset, with candidates exactly what is expected of them and what candidates are entitled to expect from their tutor. Encourage and guide candidates to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and learning. Ensure the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the course, candidates and pupils within lessons Provide honest feedback that is in the form of positive praise or constructive feedback. Direct candidates to appropriate resources for further learning and understand that they may not know all answers. Place the well-being and safety of the candidate above the expectation of results Abide by the Scottish Swimming and Club Child Protection policies and procedures Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and treat everyone equally within the context of their sport. Develop an appropriate working relationship with candidates, based on mutual trust and respect. Tutors must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward. In particular, tutors must not use their position to establish or pursue a sexual or improper relationship with a candidate. Co-operate fully with Scottish Swimming and appointed assessors, and verifiers Never act in a manner that brings Scottish Swimming into disrepute. Always promote the positive aspects of their sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances. Keep up to date with changes in the discipline area that they are delivering Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance. Let Scottish Swimming Education know of any (potential) conflict of interest that may or arises for a course. DECLARATION: I agree to abide by the above principles and understand that any breaches of the code will be dealt with in accordance with SASA judicial laws. I understand that a breach may result in removal of my licence. Signed: Date: Print Name:. v5. May

8 Appendix III Complaints Procedure (Feb V4) Overview - Procedure for Making a Complaint Against a Tutor This procedure relates to aspects connected to the delivery of a course leading to a Scottish Swimming certificate. The procedure for an appeal against the assessment decision can be found in the appeals procedure. Complaints dealt with under this procedure will relate to all aspects of delivery and will include areas such as: Ineffective delivery by the tutor Omission in respect of the syllabus to be covered Inappropriate activities by the tutor including any behaviour which may cause Concern or offence Irregularities in the way in which the course is delivered or assessed. Complaints may be made during a course or at the end. In the case of the latter this must be received by the course organiser and copied to Scottish Swimming within 28 days of the completion of the course. Complaints received after this date will not be acknowledged. Details of the complaint i.e. its nature, persons involved and dates of discussion and meeting will be recorded as evidence that a complaint has been processed. Records must be retained for a period of 3 years or 5 years. 5 years applies where any criminal proceedings are involved. Introduction The object of the complaints policy set out below is to provide a means for dealing promptly with any complaint which you may have in the course of dealing with the centre. We are committed to providing a high-quality service to all. When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it. This will help us to improve our standards. If you have a complaint, in the first instance please speak to your course organiser. Your course organiser will make a record of your complaint including any action and outcome. If, however, you feel you cannot speak to the course organiser or are not satisfied with the response or outcome you should put your complaint in writing to the Scottish Swimming Education department. STAGE 1 Complaints should be addressed to the course organiser and should be made in writing stating clearly the nature of the complaint. The letter should be dated and signed and a copy sent to the Education department at Scottish Swimming. If the course organiser is also the tutor then the complaint should be sent direct to the Education department, again this should be made in writing stating clearly the nature of the complaint. STAGE 2 The course organiser is required to respond to the complaint within 14 working days from receipt of the complaint. The letter should be dated and signed and a copy sent to the Education department at Scottish Swimming.. v5. May

9 STAGE 3 We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally involve passing your complaint to our Director of Development or nominated member of the management team, who will review your complaint and speak to the member of staff who is your named contact. STAGE 4 The Director of Development, or nominated person, will contact you to discuss and arrange a meeting if required to hopefully resolve your complaint. S/he will do this within 14 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter. STAGE 5 Within 5 working days of the discussion / meeting, the Director of Development or nominated member of the management team will write to you to confirm what took place and any solutions s/he has agreed with you. STAGE 6 If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint to the course organiser, the complainant then has 14 working days to forward to the Education department for consideration and response. STAGE 7 If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint to Scottish Swimming the correspondence will be forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration and response by the Education department. The Chief Executive Officer will be the final means of complaint within the Training Provider and will have 28 working days to consider the complaint. The Chief Executive Officer will respond direct to the complainant in writing copying in the Education department. STAGE 8 In the case of the matter in relation to Awarding body qualifications you will have the right to refer your complaint to them within 10 working days. SQA Accreditation or Ofqual Regulatory * Bodies will look at any appeal you may have if you still remain dissatisfied. Sanctions Scottish Swimming can impose the following sanctions: 1. Suspensions and fines may be imposed on tutors by Scottish Swimming. 2. Decisions taken by Scottish Swimming are mandatory on any tutor who finds themselves the subject of a complaint. 3. If a tutor has been suspended and is required go through the recertification/retraining process this must be carried out by the tutor prior to the new license period. Any tutor who is subject to suspension and does not take up the offer to recertificate/retrain within the current license period will not be eligible for a Scottish Swimming tutor License at a future date. 4. If a tutor has been suspended and goes through the recertification process as detailed in 3 above and then finds themselves the cause of a future complaint (and is found guilty) relating to the same the tutor will be automatically expelled from Scottish Swimming and this expulsion will be final.. v5. May

10 Appeal by a Tutor Against a Decision Taken By Scottish Swimming The procedure for an appeal against a decision taken by Scottish Swimming is through the Scottish Swimming Complaints Procedure which is detailed in R12.0 of the Company s Governance Documentation. Please also see the Appeals Procedure. * Scottish Qualifications Authority The Optima Building 58 Robertson Street Glasgow G2 8DQ Ofqual Customer Relations public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk Procedure for a Complaint against the Training Provider (Scottish Swimming) Complaints relating to the Training Provider functions are dealt with as follows: Stage 1 Complaint received and acknowledged by the Workforce Development Manager. Stage 2 Workforce Development Manager investigates complaint and provides the complainant with a formal written response. Stage 3 If the response is accepted by the complainant the correspondence is retained on file for a period of 5 years. Stage 4 If complainant does not accept the response from the Scottish Swimming Workforce Development Manager the complaint will be forwarded to the Director of Development for attention. Stage 5 The Director of Development will investigate the complaint and provide a formal written response. Stage 6 If the response is accepted by the complainant the correspondence is retained on file for a period of 5 years. Stage 7 If the complainant does not accept the response from the Director of Development the complaint will be forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer will be the final means of complaint within the Training Provider. NB Any discrepancies in the response provided at any stage in the Training Provider process will be discussed by all parties as part of the complaints review process in order to clarify areas of apparent disagreement.. v5. May