Why don't operating BHS instructors have to register? Debate

[Shilasdair]

Some posts seem unsure that there even is a register.... there definitly is

It's about £150 to join including the insurance (which I am told would cost around £400 not through the BHS.... HUGE incentive). But you can join and not get your insurance with them, but must show them a valid insuarnce certificate to prove you are covered.

My question for a freelance BHS qualified instructor that is not on the register is 1 are they qualified and 2 are they insured? (becuase as above there is a massive discount to get it through the register)

And you should ask if they are first aid trained - if you have a fall it could be the difference between life and death for you.
S

 

[galaxy]

And you should ask if they are first aid trained - if you have a fall it could be the difference between life and death for you.
S

very true

and we also now have to be police checked! (oh the joy of filling out that form! )

 

[miss_molly]

Some posts seem unsure that there even is a register.... there definitly is

It's about £150 to join including the insurance (which I am told would cost around £400 not through the BHS.... HUGE incentive). But you can join and not get your insurance with them, but must show them a valid insuarnce certificate to prove you are covered.

My question for a freelance BHS qualified instructor that is not on the register is 1 are they qualified and 2 are they insured? (becuase as above there is a massive discount to get it through the register)

It may cost £150 to join, but insurance from others is avaliable for a lot less than £400, mine was under £200 when I was unqualified. Add onto the cost, the CRB, and all the other requirements and it soon mounts up. Ive joined in the hope that next year my insurance will cost less, bit with all the add on its much more this year.

To join without insurance also cost about £50 so not really worth it for no benefits except listing on the website.

 

[Bertthefrog]

But surely we are forgetting the grass roots riders here.

The people out competing will have their own views as to who they would like to train with - whether a discipline specific coach or whatever.

What about the likes of the average horse owner or the parents of kids who have been bought ponies but have no equine background themselves. This forum shows the amount of individuals who have little or no knowledgeable support in the 'real world' and hence turn to forums like this for 'expert' (and I use the term loosely as the responses are varied!) advice.

These are the people most vulnerable from unsafe trainers. These are the most likely to require first aid knowledge at some point eek and yet these are the people who are most likely to pick up the ads from the local feed shop for the BHS trainee/advanced AI etc.

Sadly they are unlikely to know about an instructors register either. But either way, there perhaps needs to be a some sort of accountability for instructors/trainers/coaches or otherwise who are dangerous/negligent, in the case of children and vulnerable adults, shall we say unsuitable.

I have just heard that an 18 yr old has set up a 'riding school' locally - no license, no insurance, no teaching qualification. She is seen hacking through the local town with a myriad of kids and ponies in tow. Do you think all the parents would still send their kids if they realised she is trading illegally and contravening all H&S responsibilities - I doubt it. Who will educate them as to the possible dangers - probably noone. She can undercut all the legitimate schools in the area - hence the reason she is so busy. Nice little earner until it all goes horribly wrong.....

 

[Kaylum]

I had lessons with a BHS instructor a couple of years ago, she said she was qualified and I never questioned that, but then decided to look her up on the register. She was on the register. She also taught at a riding school. Now if I was employing someone as a BHS AI at a riding school you would want to know she was registered with the BHS and also had first aid skills.

I have also been to a BHS approved riding school for a hack and the hack was lead by a 15 year old. Obviously not insured, whoops.

Dont mind if instructors arent qualified if they are good, but they should have to have a valid first aid certificate as part of their insurance.

 

[intouch]

When I was working for a riding school as a BHSAI I was told that under no circumstances was I to administer first aid (St John) in case the RS got sued. So while it's good to have it, it's more about knowing what NOT to do!

 

[Azmar]

If someone instructing gives some cause for concern that a client wonders about their qualification why don't they just vote with their feet and move on? The BHS are trying to keep the Register up to date and probably use membership as part of CPD anyway. It will be part of the UKCC qualification as I understand it. Anyway there are certainly many folk out there coaching/teaching/ instructing who have no qualifications. If they tick your boxes and get improvement where's the problem?

 

[MissSBird]

If someone instructing gives some cause for concern that a client wonders about their qualification why don't they just vote with their feet and move on? The BHS are trying to keep the Register up to date and probably use membership as part of CPD anyway. It will be part of the UKCC qualification as I understand it. Anyway there are certainly many folk out there coaching/teaching/ instructing who have no qualifications. If they tick your boxes and get improvement where's the problem?

Because if you're a non-horsey parent watching your 8 year old have a lesson and that instructor tells you that everything is normal, how are you to know that it's not?

It's amazing how convincing 'experts' can be to the inexperienced!

 

[kirstyl]

And you should ask if they are first aid trained - if you have a fall it could be the difference between life and death for you.
S

If your instructor is insured with and on the BHS Register of Instructors they will have a current first aid certificate and CRB training and have undertaken a recent training course with the BHS. When I worked as an instructor for a riding school I was insured through the riding school and was therefore not on the register. I now work as a riding instructor teaching children with special needs - again I am insured by the charity I work for, so am not on the Register. If I were to freelance again, I would without doubt go back onto the Register and be insured through the BHS