The new Licensing Scheme for Aquatic Professionals: Teachers and Coaches has been launched. To coincide with this, the ASA are offering 500 free licences to its teachers and coaches so they can show they are committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
Full details of the new scheme have been updated on the British Swimming website and there is clear differentiation between the requirements and pro-formas for each scheme.
http://www.britishswimming.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,5157-182322-199540-nav-list,00.html
These individual licences are available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis and all applications must be received by 30th June 2009.
The ASA Licence is a way for teachers and coaches to prove to employers and clubs that they not only hold ASA qualifications (or approved equivalent) and are signed up to a Code of Ethics but are updating their skills by taking teaching and continuing professional development (CPD) courses.
Licence holders, at their request, can also be included on the Register of Aquatic Professionals, which gives employers the chance to search for fully qualified and vetted staff.
The ASA Licence automatically reflects the teacher’s or coaches’ level of qualification, covers all the aquatic disciplines and is open to both paid and unpaid instructors.
Any specific queries should be directed to licensing@swimming.org.
How does this compare to the previous scheme?
- New individual licence costs just £5 per year (introductory offer for new and renewal applications received before 31st March 2010)
- Automatically licensed in the category/categories that you are qualified in
- Simplified list of elective requirements and the removal of the points system
- Elective options includes ‘in house’ training provided by your employer
- Elective options include the support provided to fellow colleagues by mentoring
- Evidence portfolios have been replaced by an annual submission to confirm mandatory and elective requirements have been received (certified by Line Manager or Club Coach)
- Mandatory requirement to deliver a minimum of 50 hours teaching and/or coaching per year to demonstrate commitment to actively delivering for the sport
- Mandatory requirement to attend a Development Event each year to demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement and professional development
- Submission of other organisation’s CRB certificate as part of the application process (acceptance cannot be guaranteed and must be dated within 6 months of licence application)
- No changes to those individuals who are currently licensed under the previous Teacher & Coach scheme – they can continue to fulfil the requirements of that scheme and will be transferred onto the new Aquatic Professional scheme on the anniversary of their 3 year cycle (providing the appropriate evidence portfolio has been submitted to confirm adherence to scheme rules)
