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.
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.
CIMPSA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, has worked with Sport England and a number of other statutory bodies to develop the Minimum Deployment Standards for coaches working with young people. These can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
