Professional Recognition
As we move towards a more coherent sector, and in order to improve the strength of our support and voice inside and outside the sector, we are creating standards to recognise the professionals within UK member organisations.
Professional recognition benchmarks a level of education, responsibility and experience working in any area of outdoor learning.
After several years of research and consultation, the professional recognition process takes the sector forward towards establishing a chartered body for outdoor learning professionals.
- Having professional recognition clearly benchmarked against other established professions will strengthen our lobbying and representation activity with UK and Home Nation Governments.
- Professional membership through a member organisation will be a required gateway for accessing pathways to individual Chartered Professional status
Professional Recognition Benchmarks
Professional recognition is in addition to each individuals’ specialisms and qualifications, e.g. instruction/coaching awards, association memberships, teaching and/or management qualifications, etc.
It 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.
Professional Recognition Process
Attaining professional recognition will further demonstrate your commitment to professional practice and your own continued professional development.
Member Organisations offering Professional Recognition
- Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL)
- Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC)
- Outdoor Education Advisors Panel (OEAP)
Each of the organisations will offer professional recognition to existing members following the same requirements and process.
Submissions will be reviewed by an application review team against the published requirements. 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, or Accredited membership of OEAP
- If required, additional information will be requested from applicants before a decision is reached
Associate Professional Recognition
Recognition as an associate professional demonstrates you have experience working in outdoor learning and a commitment to professionalism and your own continued professional development.
- Benchmark your level of knowledge, skills and education to lead outdoor learning sessions
- Demonstrate your experience to customers and employers, and the value you bring
- Help improve the strength of our representation and voice inside and outside the sector
Organisations offering Professional Recognition
- Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL)
- Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC)
Self-declaration of suitable experience on application form
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:
- Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship
- MTE Level 3 Rock Climbing Instructor
- MTE Level 3 Award in Lowland Leadership
- MTE Level 3 Award in Mountain Leadership
- Level 3 Forest School Leader
- Pearson BTEC Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities
IOL recognised qualifications and awards aligned to Outdoor Activity Instructor Occupational Standard at Level 3 can be found here.
Suitable experience
Associate professionals in outdoor learning have a total of at least one years' experience delivering outdoor learning with responsibility for:
- Leading safe and engaging outdoor learning sessions
- Organising resources and deliver within agreed programmes
- Preparing for and achieving 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.
Professional Recognition
Recognition as a professional in outdoor learning values your experience and will further demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and continued professional development.
- Benchmark your knowledge, skills and education at a level matched to other professions
- Demonstrate your level of experience to customers and employers, and the value you bring
- Achieve the gateway for accessing future pathways to individual Chartered Professional status
- Help improve the strength of our representation and voice inside and outside the sector
Organisations offering Professional Recognition
- Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL)
- Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC)
- Outdoor Education Advisors Panel (OEAP)
Professional Recognition Application Routes
Self-declaration of suitable experience on application form
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:
- First or Higher Degrees in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, Outdoor Adventure Education, Geography, Environmental Science, Management etc.
- Level 5 Certificate / Diploma in Management and Leadership, Level 5 Certificate / Diploma in Effective Coaching and Mentoring
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, etc.
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS)
Suitable qualifications should include a period of learning (total qualification time) sufficient to gain the breadth and depth of knowledge, thinking and understanding required to support professional competence in outdoor learning.
Statement of equivalent learning:
Equivalent learning can be recognised for those NOT holding a suitable qualification as above.
A Statement of Equivalent Learning should demonstrate relevant knowledge, thinking and understanding at least equivalent to RQF/CQFW Level 5 or SQCF at Level 8. It is in two parts:
- Professional Development Record (signed by a supporter)
- Personal Statement showing that you clearly meet the professional recognition experience requirements
Suitable experience
Professionals in outdoor learning have a total of at least five years' experience in outdoor learning including at least two years in a position of responsibility for:
- Shaping effective outdoor learning by exercising autonomy and judgement within broad parameters
- Building programmes of learning using outdoor experiences by drawing on relevant research
- Thinking and operating medium / long term and planning and developing courses of action
- Initiating and leading complex tasks and processes and positively influencing the work of colleagues
- Delivering value to customers and the profession and role modelling professional practice
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:
Apply for Professional Recognition
Professional Recognition recognises a certain level of education, training and relevant work experience in outdoor learning. It complements each individuals’ specialisms, e.g. teaching qualifications, instruction/coaching awards, IOL Accreditation, association memberships, etc.
To apply for Professional Recognition you need to be a current member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC) or the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel (OEAP). Current discounted membership rates for IOL:
- Annually £80.00
- Annual Direct Debit £70.00
- Monthly Direct Debt £6.50
There is no additional cost for Professional Recognition