Professional Recognition

Professional recognition distinguishes a level of education and experience working in any area of outdoor learning. It is in addition to each individuals’ specialisms and qualifications, e.g. instruction/coaching awards, IOL Accreditation, association memberships, teaching and/or management qualifications, etc.

Professional recognition also brings expectations and responsibilities including a commitment to safe, ethical practice, evidence of completing CPD annually and being up-to-date and connected to current good practice.

 

** Requirements for equivalent qualifications and experience are in development.

• Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL)
• Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC)

Depending on your eligibility, you may need to:

• Provide details of your outdoor learning work experience (template provided)
• Provide statements of support that confirm your experience (template provided for signature by peer or senior manager)
• Provide copies of certificates of relevant qualifications at the required level
• • Provide evidence of an equivalent, existing professional membership at the level, e.g. Full membership of AHOEC

It is envisaged that Professional Recognition will define an individual’s membership level of UK Outdoors as organisations with our sector come together.

Becoming an associate professional demonstrates you have experience working in outdoor learning and a commitment to professionalism and your own continued professional development.

 

UK Outdoors Member Organisations offering Professional Recognition

• Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL)
• Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC)

 

Associate Professional Application Routes

 

Suitable Qualifications:

All qualifications and awards that are directly relevant to your work in outdoor learning and are at RQF/CQFW Level 3 / SQCF Level 6 or higher may be suitable.

These include, but are not limited to:

IOL recognised qualifications and awards aligned to Outdoor Activity Instructor Occupational Standard at Level 3 can be found here.

 

Suitable experience

Professional members of IOL have experience to enable them to:

1. Provide safe and engaging outdoor learning sessions
2. Organise resources and deliver within agreed programmes
3. Prepare for and achieve planned outcomes

Work experience can be full time, part role or volunteer in any area of outdoor learning as an instructor, teacher, facilitator, coach etc in any outdoor activity.

• Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL)
• Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC)

 

Suitable qualifications:

All qualifications and awards that are directly relevant to your work in outdoor learning and are at RQF/CQFW Level 5 / SQCF Level 8 or higher may be suitable. For example:

Equivalent experience will be recognised for those not holding RQF/CQFW Level 5 / SQCF Level 8 qualification. The process is in development across the sector and will be available in Summer 2020.

 

Suitable experience

Professionals in outdoor learning have a total of at least five years' outdoor learning work experience at this level to enable them to:

1. Shape effective outdoor delivery and exercise autonomy and judgement
2. Build programmes of learning using purposeful and planned outdoor experiences
3. Think and operate medium / long term planning and developing courses of action
4. Positively influence colleagues and role model professional and reflective practice
5. Deliver value to customers and the profession by addressing complex problems

Experience may be full time, part role or volunteer in any area of outdoor learning, as either a practitioner or academic, and include the responsibilities of one or more of: