Pathway to Teach, Assist or Help

Permission from the Head of the Lancashire Aikikai is required for all roles/appointments carried out in Clubs and will include - Club Leader, Coaches, "Assist Only" instructors, Officials of club, Helpers, those under taking duties to assist the Club Leader and Club Welfare Officers. Details how to gain this - See our Permissions page

This page concerns those who wish to become a Instructor, Coach or Club Leader.

Pathway to be a Aikikai Instructor
1. Prospective Aikikai instructors would attend:

general courses (as many as possible)
coaching sessions (as many as possible)

Would not be teachers in other Aikido Associations. It was important our style was being taught and practised otherwise it would not be appropriate for them to teach in Lancashire Aikikai.

2. With permission of Head of Association undertake BAB Coaching course and obtain their Coaching Award to Level 1. This permission unlikely to be granted if unknown to the Head of Association or if known only a relatively short time. See Coaching Home page

3. Obtain Head of Association's verbal approval (but this would be unlikely to be granted in under a year's attendance of Coaching sessions and would vary between people) to start the process of formal permission with the Aikikai.

4. Satisfy requirements of Aikikai Child Protection Policy by making a CRB application completed with & Form 4 .via our Child Protection Officer. (Other CRB checks do not count). The next step can only be taken having completed the CRB Check and received the report back

5. Meet any remaining requirement such as PI insurance etc. and then apply for Permission to Teach or Assist through your Club Leader. This procedure is detailed on the Permission page (Use Form 1)

6. For continuation of the Permission to teach or assist a minimum attendance at 4 coaching sessions over any two year period would be expected and at least 1 general course a year. See CPD

Although not a requirement – the Aikikai recommends that Coaches and “Assist only” Instructors should also under take the BAB Young People course or Sport Coach UK Coaching Children and Young People course. This recommendation should be considered particularly if you are involved with any class that attracts juniors.

Notes:

Current First Aid to the required Aikikai standard if you want to be recognised as a Coach rather than a "Assist only" Instructor. For "Assist only" First Aid not required.
If "Assist only" Instructor - apply and keep current the BAB free PI cover

The Aikikai encourages its coaches to consider progress to higher Coaching Levels when possible - there are however grade, age and time restrictions on progress. See the Coaching homepage

The Aikikai accepts not everyone wishes to teach or assist – high grades wishing to practise only are also valued and respected.

Process

Matters relating to Permissions are at Principal's discretion.

The Association will publish a list of permissions and any restrictions and its expiry date. Any permission can be withdrawn by the Head of the Association.

For anyone to teach, assist or help on the mat - formal permission is needed before stepping onto a mat in these roles this is part of our recruitment process. (This is not needed for visiting instructors that our Head of Association is aware of)

The recruitment process is required by Independent Safeguarding Authority the Lancashire Aikikai considers our Permission process fulfils this.

For Coaching matters the Aikikai's Coaching Liaison Officer will assist and support progress. It is helpful if those reaching 1st Kyu who wish to be potential coaches or assistants could be identified to the CLO.

For CRB checks - contact our Child Protection Officer or your own Club Welfare Officer