Minimum Standards for Coaching

Minimum Standards

Minimum Standards for Active Coaches

Active coaches need to meet a set of minimum standards for delivery.

“Excellent Coaching Every Time for Everyone” is the industry standard for coaching. This means that all coaching sessions should meet the standards set, every time. It also means that coaches should constantly strive for excellence.

UK Coaching, along with key industry partners, has agreed core standards that all coaches in the UK should meet.

Coach adhering to the minimum standards whilst teaching

Why are these standards important?

As an active coach, it is important for you to meet the core standards in order to:

Ensure you have the right level of qualification, knowledge and skills for your coaching role
Safeguard you and the participants you coach
Ensure you have the right level of insurance
Improve the coaching opportunities you can access

The core standards an active coach should meet are outlined in five key areas:

Minimum age
Appropriate qualifications
Appropriate insurance cover
Safeguarding children and vulnerable groups
Policies and procedures

National guidance on minimum standards

UK Coaching have produced an interactive tool to provide guidance regarding the minimum qualifications (as stated by the relevant governing bodies of sport) required.

This guidance is designed for a lead coach coaching children and young people in primary schools, secondary schools, clubs, and also communities/local authorities.

Volunteers can also use the interactive tool. They can use this to identify potential areas for improvement in their work.

For You

For Organisations

Activity and Health

Who we are

Minimum Standards

For Organisations

Minimum Standards for Active Coaches

National guidance on minimum standards

UK Coaching Interactive Tool

Keep updated