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Weezy

Weezy

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Following on from BBs thread, well, lack of replies to her thread really.

I know lots of you teach, whether you have qualifications or not, certainly in my opinion they are not necessary. Anyway, do you have insurance? And if not, why not?
 
I am on the BHS register of instructors, so my insurance is included in my registration fee. I would not teach without insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Didn['t read the other thread but I have BHS qualifications obtained about 25 - 30 years ago. Have never taught for a living but did some freelance for friends in the early 1990s and didn't have insurance and was always accutely aware that I should have.

I would not teach without insurance nowadays and the cost of insurance has for a number of years put me off teaching on an occasional basis which I what I used to do as it wouldn't be cost effective. In some ways it is a shame since I think I have quite a lot of knowledge acquired and teach/lecture in another sphere so have the ability to communicate (I hope).
 
dieseldog said:
What is the age range for needing the Child Protection Checks? What is the upper limit of your pupils?
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In terms of CRB or the actual BHS Child Protection course?

If you're talking CRB, it's actually any age as it's not just for children, it's also for the vulnerable. BHS CPC is 16 I think
 
I took freelance insurance as an add on to my yard insurance. It wasn't that much at all. Although I only really teach my liveries and a couple of outside regulars, I would never consider not having insurance in this day and age!!
 
teapot said:
In terms of CRB or the actual BHS Child Protection course?

If you're talking CRB, it's actually any age as it's not just for children, it's also for the vulnerable. BHS CPC is 16 I think
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Thanks, CRB - I didn't realise there wasn't an age limit on it. But would you need to do it if you only taught 17+ and non vulnerable people? And what is a vulnerable person?

If you have done the BHS one do you still need to do a CRB? I know that you have to have a CRB done for every job you do, my friends mum has several part time jobs - about 5 at different times of the year and has to CRB checked for each one.
 
i have no qual but a shed load of experience, which IMHO is worth far more than bits of paper that say you know the theory but cant walk the walk......anyway, i have my own insurance as insurance is the family business so bit ironic if i didnt!
 
Best instructors I know have no formal qualifications - better to have walked the walk than to have read it out of a text book ;)

I no longer teach as I wouldn't without insurance and I cannot be bothered with the litigation culture of the UK these days. If I did teach I too would absolutely not do it without insurance, but I think an awful lot of people do. I am fully CRB checked tho!

Maybe those having lessons should ask their instructors if they ARE insured?
 
dieseldog said:
Thanks, CRB - I didn't realise there wasn't an age limit on it. But would you need to do it if you only taught 17+ and non vulnerable people? And what is a vulnerable person?

If you have done the BHS one do you still need to do a CRB? I know that you have to have a CRB done for every job you do, my friends mum has several part time jobs - about 5 at different times of the year and has to CRB checked for each one.
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It's a good question, long time since I've been in the BHS world. Reading this: http://www.bhs.org.uk/sitecore/cont...n_affecting_equestrians/Child_Protection.aspx If you were working at a BHS riding school, you'd need both. Outside, no idea I'm afraid.

Re: what defines a vulnerable person? It's anyone under the age of 18 as they're legally still a child and I believe anyone over the age of 18 who has a disability/ill health and then the elderly as the third party.

Ahha: http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/faqs/definitions.aspx
 
teapot said:
It's a good question, long time since I've been in the BHS world. Reading this: http://www.bhs.org.uk/sitecore/cont...n_affecting_equestrians/Child_Protection.aspx If you were working at a BHS riding school, you'd need both. Outside, no idea I'm afraid.

Re: what defines a vulnerable person? It's anyone under the age of 18 as they're legally still a child and I believe anyone over the age of 18 who has a disability/ill health and then the elderly as the third party.

Ahha: http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/faqs/definitions.aspx
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Well according to the definitions I am a Vulnerable person!:eek::D Better make sure next time I have a lesson that the person is CRB checked.
 
Its a bit insulting to us instructors to say that you can either "walk the walk" or read it out of the text book. I've got a degree in languages, but wouldn't be a language teacher until I learnt to teach..The BHSAI is not an easy exam - hence why most horsey university graduates don't get it. Then there are many higher levels - try telling me that a BSHI or FBHS (or BHSII for that matter) just read a text book!

There are far too many "instructors" around my area that have gone straight to uni from home (only ever riding equines that mummy and daddy bought for them and then school horses at uni) who set up their own yards (again financed by parents) and call themselves experienced. I wouldn't let them near my eventers, but many a naive mother would send their novice child to them blindly assuming they are qualified.

I agree that many good instructors are not qualified - they are high level competition riders, and are great for those of us that compete. They may not always be able to relate to a riding school with real novices though.

Re insurance, nowadays I donn't teach much, so tend to do so at RC or PC where I am covered by their insurance..
 
Honey08 said:
Its a bit insulting to us instructors to say that you can either "walk the walk" or read it out of the text book.
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Very true. I am out most weekends, and often during the week (if I get time) making sure I am furthering my knowledge, weather by competing myself, or going to watch the pros. I make sure I regularly go to lecutre/demos either ridden/veterniary/horsecare to make sure my knowledge is upto date. I have worked on event/dressage/livery/riding schools yards, from the most basic riding school down the road to olympic dressage riders/ badminton winner. I would like to think that I can walk the walk, as well as talk the talk. I have done my BHS exams and am a 'qualified' instructor, does this automatically mean I can't actually ride, but can read a text book?????

I have come across some shocking BHS qualified instructors, but you can't tar us all with the same brush.
 
FWIW I actually AM a qualified instructor up to BHSII level. I was not tarring people with the same brush, please show me where I have! I have seen way too many AIs that are appalling, sorry this is a true statement of fact - just because they have their hours does not mean that they can teach, or are knowledgeable - and many cannot ride to a decent standard. Then of course there are those that are really, REALLY good, but sadly they are not so easily found :(

Equally I know some amazing riders who are cruddy trainers, yet people still flock to worship at their feet.

Ho hum, this was a thread about insurance!
 
Iteach at the yard that I livery at as it is also a riding school - I had to teach a sample lesson in front of the insurance people and was given effectively a certificate of competence (ie I am not going to make a novice rider jump a 4' spread etc :) ) so I am covered to teach on this one particular yard under their insurance but I wouldn't be covered anywhere else.
 
I have freelance insurance, I think in this day and age were everyone takes everyone to court its too risky not to have it. I also have my CPC and an advanced CRB check just to be on the safe side :)
 
I used to run NVQ's at my yard and although I have my BHSAI Int SM and alos event and have several other competition horses of my own and have taught for a number of years and also owned a riding school......we had to do our Cert Ed as well so we learnt how to teach different people and make sure that everyone understood. Was hard work but very helpful. I combine experience with my formal qualifications.
 
If anyone reading this is teaching uninsured please read the following:

I used to work for a sports governing body (non equestrian). Part of my role was to arrange expert witnesses to provide best practice evidence, when contacted by solicitors representing clients.

Cases ranged from an embarrassed solicitor representing someone who wanted to sue for 1 day off work (concussion) through to a beheading. Going back over 15 years ago, even a wrist injury resulted in a claim for several thousand of expenses (single mum who had kids needing transport etc) that didn't include an element for her discomfort.

If you face such a claim, legal defence will literally cost a fortune before you even consider what you may be expected to fund in compensation.
 
I know my instructor has insurance, she was most disappointed when I fell off at a coffin (appropriately enough) the other day as it means she has to fill in all manner of forms. Bit sad really that you have to go through such a large amount of arse covering but I imagine there are plenty of people out there who will sue for the most trivial thing.
 
Erm sorry, wasn't joking about the beheading. Fortunately I didn't have to see any court papers.

Hopefully this is extremely unlikely to happen in the horse world, but confess I have been horrified by some agricultural implements left adjacent to (open) schools. Really would not want to fall on some of these.
 
Beheading doesn;t nec mean your head has been knocked off, its a term used when the base of the skull comes off of the neck which would be more common that you think!
Learnt this at Equine Specfic First Aid!

Anyhow, I am a BHSI(SM) and have my insurance through the BHS. I would never teach or ride others horses without it.
I too am qualified with experience, having said that, we get an awful lot of qualified people who don;t really know what they are doing coming for interviews.
 
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