Guidance for Instructors teaching children

[Paul Morris]

Hi,

Like some other views I have seen on the general forum, I'm a little disappointed by the brevity of the 10 bullet point guidelines for training young people in BSAC.

Can we expect any detailed support or guidance for instructors in teaching children, as indeed learning styles will be different from adults. Not to mention, protecting oneself from the increasing legislation around working with young people.

Personally I was against the proposal. Not that I was against introducing young people to clubs, in some respects it would inject much more life, enthusiasm and family spirit into clubs, which can go stale. However, I was fearful of the lack of support for instructors in preparing ourselves to teach young people, and ensuring we comply with any legislation or guidelines, and improving our teaching techniques for young people.

Since the resolution passed I had hoped that before it was formally instigated some detailed guidelines and support would be put in place for instructors and clubs. Am I missing something?

Don't get me wrong, the situation isn't much different to before, only then the age was 14. I am a relatively new instructor so have gone through the recent IFC, OWIC, TIE, PIE route. I cannot recall at any point, mention of how to adapt teaching for young people, and the related issues. Maybe its time to include this, or maybe as a specialist instructor support SDC, such as the disability awareness courses.

Is it just me?

PaulM

[David Walker]

Not to mention, protecting oneself from the increasing legislation around working with young people.

If I was teaching children then yes I probably would want more information on how it affects me as an instructor. A single document outlining the issues (for anyone under 18, not just under 14) would be helpful. I know from other activities for example that CRB checks are often required when working with children, and I imagine particularly being in a swimming pool with them could bring about all kinds of problems if there's any "dodgy" people around. Knowing about CRB I searched the BSAC site myself for it, and the information IS there, but its not linked together at all. I'm sure it'll all come together at some point once the site is upgraded, but until then a bit more effort needs to go into putting the necessary documentation together properly. As others have mentioned, it does seem very rushed, and i'd have though we'd have heard something from Council / NDC about why the decision was taken, that kind of thing. For example, what issues were considered, how some concerns were alleviated, what evidence was used in relation to the physical implications of younger people diving, that kind of thing. Do Council or the NDC publish detailed minutes or anything like that, it might all be in there?

David