We are delighted you are considering becoming an RLSS UK Qualifications ATC/P.

To make the onboarding process as quick and efficient as possible, please take a few minutes to review the information below and ensure that you have the required documentation and equipment in place before commencing your application.

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• What is an Approved Training Centre?
• What is an Approved Training Provider?
• Which countries will you be delivering our qualifications to?
• Approved Training Centre/Provider Scheme Benefits
• Who we are regulated by
• RLSS UK Qualifications
• ATC/Ps - Key Personnel
• Getting Ready for Approved Training Centre/Provider Recognition 
• What Equipment, Policies, Documents and Procedures your ATC/P must have in Place
• Costs to Become an Approved Training Centre or Provider
• What Happens Next?
• Apply to be an ATC or ATP
• Essential Items Needed for ATC/Ps

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As an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual (England), Qualifications Wales (Wales), and CCEA (Northern Ireland), we mainly provide qualifications to support the Leisure industry; however, some are appropriate across other sectors. Industry experts write our qualifications and meet the very high standards expected by our regulators.

If you have not already worked with us and have found a qualification you wish to deliver, then you will need to follow an approval process, which we call the Approved Training Centre (ATC) or Approved Training Provider (ATP) recognition scheme. Below, we have provided some information that you may find helpful when considering whether this approval is right for you.

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What is an Approved Training Centre (ATC)?

An ATC is any business or organisation that operates out of its own venue and can deliver, assess, and quality-assure our regulated qualifications.

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What is an Approved Training Provider (ATP)?

An ATP is a training company or trainer who wishes to set up their own facility without a specific venue or pool. However, it operates like an ATC to deliver, assess, and quality-assure our regulated qualifications.

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To which countries will you be delivering RLSS UK qualifications and awards?

Where you, as an ATC or an ATP, will be delivering qualifications outside of the United Kingdom, you first need to check if the country is a member of the RLSS Commonwealth or the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). Where the country is a member of both, you should contact the RLSS Commonwealth only.

If the country in which you wish to deliver RLSS UK qualifications is a member of the RLSS Commonwealth, you must seek permission from the local office in that country before you start your application with the RLSS UK Qualifications. If the RLSS Commonwealth approves your request to deliver our qualifications, you can continue your application as instructed below.

If the country you wish to deliver our qualifications is not a member of the RLSS Commonwealth but is a member of the ILS, you will need to seek permission from the local office in that country before you start your application with the RLSS UK Qualifications. If they approve your request to deliver our qualifications, you can continue your application as instructed below.

If the country is not a member of the RLSS Commonwealth or the ILS, you can continue your application as instructed below.

Check if the country is a member of the RLSS Commonwealth 

Check if the country is a member of the ILS

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Approved Training Centre/Provider Scheme Benefits

As an RLSS UK Qualifications ATC/P, you would receive the following:  

• Onboarding support for your organisation from our in-house Compliance team.
• We offer ongoing, dedicated customer service and compliance support via our in-house and field-based expert team, plus 24/7 online support.
• Access to our online ongoing training and competency platform for the following regulated* and non-regulated qualifications and awards:
• National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)*
• Open Water Lifeguard (OWL)
• Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award 
• National Rescue Award for Swim Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC).

• A certificate demonstrates that your organisation is approved to deliver RLSS UK Qualifications’ regulated awards and qualifications to staff and customers.
• Access the RLSS UK Course Management system and Course Finder tool to manage and advertise your courses.
• Permission to use the RLSS UK logo to add credibility to your offering and website (adhering to the guidelines detailed here is required)
• Marketing materials to support you in promoting your training courses.
• Regular updates, including regulatory changes, are communicated via our quarterly Qualification and Awards newsletter, emails, and the RLSS UK Trainer Assessor and ATC/P Coordinators’ closed Facebook group.

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Compliance

Who we are regulated by 

• Ofqual
• Qualifications Wales
• CCEA in Northern Ireland                                                                                          

RLSS UK Qualifications

RLSS UK Qualifications	An awarding organisation (AO) that designs and develops qualifications marketed for the Leisure industry and provides the standards for course delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance for regulated and non-regulated qualifications.
External Quality Assurance (EQA)	The EQA process involves an audit of the ATC/P to ensure adherence to the scheme. Audits will be conducted annually by staff who work for or on behalf of the RLSS UK. They support all those involved in the delivery and quality assurance of our qualifications, ensuring the standards and integrity of our qualifications.

ATC/Ps - Key Personnel 

Approved Training Centre/Providers	A business, organisation, training company or trainer who has received approval to deliver, assess and quality assure RLSS UK Qualifications regulated qualifications.
ATC/P Coordinator	A person appointed within the ATC/P as the main point of contact for RLSS UK Qualifications is responsible for ensuring the approval of the terms and conditions.
Trainer	Qualified to deliver training courses to candidates enrolled on an RLSS UK qualification.
Assessor	Qualified to assess candidates and ensure they have met the standards required to pass the award or qualification.
Internal Quality Assurer	Internal Quality Assurers conduct internal quality assurance checks on trainers and assessors delivering RLSS UK Qualifications, awards and qualifications within your ATC/P. They check that the delivery of the course or assessment is in line with relevant guidance. The ATC/P appoints the Internal Quality Assurer.
Candidates	The end-user attending an RLSS UK Qualifications course to gain a qualification

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Getting Ready for Approved Training Centre/Provider Recognition

Before you start the centre/provider recognition scheme process, please ensure you are ready to provide the following information:

• Your permanent address
• Details of the qualification(s) you wish to deliver
• An estimate of the number of candidates you plan to recruit for each qualification
• Details of the qualifications and experience of your trainers/assessors
• Appropriately qualified Internal Quality Assurers
• Appropriate arrangements, policies, and procedures
• Financial status to deliver and assess our regulated qualifications

You will also be required to read and adhere to the following:

• ATC/P Terms and Conditions
• Approved Training Centre and Provider Guidance Manual
• RLSS UK Qualifications Code of Conduct
• RLSS UK Qualifications Code of Practice
• All other RLSS UK Qualifications Policies are available here

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What Equipment, Policies, Documents and Procedures your ATC/P must have in Place

You must have the following policies, documents, and procedures in place. We will ask to see evidence of these during the approval process. (Template policies are here.)

Policies

• Appeals
• Complaint Policy
• Equality and Diversity Policy
• Malpractice policy
• Special Consideration and Reasonable Adjustment Policy

Procedures

• Internal quality assurance procedures – including Trainer Assessor Risk Ratings
• Enrolment process

Documents

• Complete an annual Declaration of Compliance
• GDPR Statement

Equipment

Resuscitation manikins	The recommended ratio is one manikin per four candidates; this applies to adult, child, and infant manikins. Where manikins are not available in the ideal ratio, an increase in the guided learning hours may be required.
Manikin wipes	Suitable manikin wipes (to clean manikins before and after use).
Learning materials	Candidates should be provided with an up-to-date course manual.
AED trainer units	The recommended ratio is at least one AED trainer per four candidates. Where AED trainers are not available for the ideal ratio, an increase in the guided learning hours may be required.
Bandages and dressings	Sufficient clean bandages, dressings and other items commonly found in a First Aid kit should be available to facilitate training and assessment.
Submersible manikin	Candidates must use a submersible manikin to recover from the deepest part of the pool. One submersible rescue manikin must be available to facilitate training and assessment.
Rescue equipment	Rescue equipment (torpedo buoys/reach poles/throw bags) should be available to facilitate training and assessment. The recommended ratio is one piece of rescue equipment per four candidates. RLSS UK Qualifications recommends the use of torpedo buoys.
Spinal/extraction equipment	Spinal/extraction equipment (Ferno Aquaboard and/or Ferno Pool Extraction Board) should be available to facilitate training and assessment where appropriate.
Pocket Mask	Sufficient pocket masks should be available to facilitate training and assessment. A minimum of two pocket masks will be required.
EpiPen/Auto-Injector/ Training Pen	An EpiPen trainer is a reusable device that allows you to practice using an EpiPen without the risk of an injection or adrenaline. It has the same method of use as an actual EpiPen but is clearly labelled as a trainer.

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Costs to Become an Approved Training Centre or Provider

Please visit our Fees and Invoicing Policy for details about our ATC/P and qualification fees.

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What Happens Next?

If you have read all the above details, have all the relevant policies and documents in place (or are working towards getting everything in place) and are ready to begin the application process. 

The application process is completed via an RLSS UK Account. 

Create an RLSS UK Account

Instructions on how to apply

Within three working days of receiving your application, an RLSS UK Compliance team member will contact you to advise on the outcome. 

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Become a Trainer, Assessor or Internal Quality Assurer for RLSS UK qualifications and awards.

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Essential Items needed for ATC/Ps

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