Professional Accreditation The APIOL Criteria
Understanding the nature and potential of outdoor learning
1. Have a reasonable breadth of knowledge about the way in which the field of outdoor learning has developed and an understanding of its current scope
2. Be familiar with a range of beliefs, values and philosophies underpinning outdoor learning
3. Understand how outdoor learning can be used to help individuals to develop
4. Be aware of how outdoor learning can be of value to society
Promotion of responsible and sensitive use of the outdoor environment
1. Be able to share your enthusiasm for the outdoors with others
2. Encourage participants to appreciate the wonder of the outdoor environment and their place within it
3. Promote the importance of sustainable use of the environment
4. Encourage participants to accept personal responsibility to act in an environmentally responsible manner
Reflective practice and continuous professional development
1. Evaluate and reflect on your own practice
2. Actively seek feedback and use it to develop your performance
3. Participate regularly in activities to maintain and develop professional competence
4. Actively apply the learning from your professional development in your work
Values and professional integrity
1. Describe a clear personal philosophy which values the special contribution that the outdoors can make to individual learning and development
2. Be aware of your own value system and the impact your actions have on others and be prepared to challenge your prejudices
3. Work with others in a way that respects their values and help them to develop those values
4. Know and apply best practice in protection of participants from abuse
5. Consistently uphold the Institute's Code of Professional Conduct, Statement of Purpose, Managing Diversity Policy and Environmental Sustainability Policy
read the Members' policy documents
Design and management of learning experiences
1. Use a broad range of activities, in different environments, to achieve learning outcomes for a range of client groups with different needs
2. Identify learning outcomes for experiences/programmes with a variety of types of aim, and tailor activities to achieve these
3. Identify the needs of individual participants and know how to involve them in planning experiences if appropriate
4. Plan, organise and manage the delivery of activities and learning experiences, taking into account legal, safety, access and environmental factors
5. Resource and staff activities and learning experiences appropriately
6. Plan and deliver a learning progression during a programme/experience
7. Evaluate the appropriateness of learning experiences and adapt activities/experiences/programmes accordingly
Learning process and facilitation skills
1. Choose appropriate facilitation approaches to suit the age, ability and background of the group and to achieve different learning objectives
2. Create an atmosphere which promotes learning and establishes effective relationships with and between participants
3. Manage participants with a range of ability and/or motivation and deal with difficult or negative behaviour
4. Estimate comfort zones and adventure thresholds and pitch level of intellectual and physical challenge appropriately
5. Recognise and support individual as well as group needs and objectives
6. Encourage participants to take responsibility for individual and group learning objectives and experiences
7. Enable individuals and groups to reflect on their experiences and to review and apply what they have learned
8. Help individuals and groups to transfer what they have learned to a context beyond the learning experience or programme
Competent outdoor practice and risk management
1. Provide evidence of competence and experience at an appropriate level in the activities and environments to be used
2. Do competent 'on the hoof' risk assessment and management as well as formal recording
3. Plan and equip for foreseeable problems or variations in weather and conditions
4. Lead/manage a group to control their exposure to risk
5. Share information with participants and encourage them to become competent in helping to manage their own safety
6. During activities, adjust the level of challenge to meet fluctuating levels of competence, fitness and motivation
7. Know how to take appropriate action in an emergency situation
8. Promote, in actions and attitudes, a culture of: valuing individuals, risk management, and care of the environment
Professional responsibilities - leadership, teamwork, client relations and involvement in the outdoor field
1. Establish and maintain good working relationships with all team colleagues and managers
2. Organise and motivate other staff to deliver the learning outcomes of a programme
3. Work as a member of a team with professionals from outside your workplace (eg clients, group leaders)
4. Fulfil professional responsibilities required by others at work (ie pull your weight!)
5. Be involved in developing the outdoor field outside your workplace