We would encourage you to read the following Government guidance in order to develop strategies if the current situation should change.
Government guidance
- Latest Government information and advice on Coronavirus, number of cases and risk level can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
- Latest Government travel advice and impact for travellers. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
- Latest Government advice on how to avoid catching or spreading the virus, which is here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Earlier this week the Government published an action plan to contain the possible spread of the virus: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan/coronavirus-action-plan-a-guide-to-what-you-can-expect-across-the-uk
Postponement of courses
We continue to be flexible in our approach to the planning of training and assessment courses; short notice cancellation or postponement of courses is expected under the current circumstances. However, notice periods for rearranging such courses remain the same, permission being sought in advance for short notice courses/changes. We do acknowledge that some learners may be concerned due to expiry dates or time periods – in such cases, please be assured that extensions to those expiry dates will be given.
Prerequisites
We expect there to be occasions in the coming months where, through no fault of the learner (e.g. First Aid Course being cancelled), they may not have all appropriate prerequisites for assessments in place, in these circumstances we will be allowing registrations to be made and for candidates to attend assessments; however, certification will not be issued until notification of the missing requirement being gained has been provided – providers will be given written confirmation where such an agreement is in place.
Courses/ Coaching/ Leading/ Guiding Overseas
Providers are expected to consider International travel carefully, taking into account the up to date advice of both the destination and country of origin. We would expect providers to review their joining instructions to ensure learners are aware of the risks of planning to join such courses/trips and take appropriate measures to protect themselves, both from a health and financial standpoint (insurance, EHIC, using credit cards to pay, etc.)
Course delivery
The guidance is clear that hand washing is essential in the protection of your health and preventing the spread of the virus, careful consideration should be given to ensuring venues have hot running water and washing facilities with alcohol gel (or wipes if gel unavailable) provided in addition to handwashing facilities. For venues without this option, you must ensure appropriate alternative measures are in place.
- Learners should be reminded to cough/sneeze into a tissue and dispose of this into a bin immediately, washing hands afterwards. Alternatively, coughing/sneezing into the bent elbow if no tissue is available.
- Where individuals are exhibiting symptoms typical of flu, a cold or have been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 infection, then they should exclude themselves from the course. Likewise, if an individual has travelled to/from the countries/regions as listed in https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk they should act on the advice dependent on whether they were a category 1 or 2 traveller.
Providers are expected to review their joining instructions to ensure this advice is clearly given on booking and in the run up to the course.
First Aid
Providers are encouraged to read the guidance provided by the Resuscitation Council on both delivery of First Aid and performing First Aid available here: https://www.resus.org.uk/media/statements/resuscitation-council-uk-statements-on-covid-19-coronavirus-cpr-and-resuscitation/
For providers who deliver First Aid training, please ensure you are considering the advice of both the Resus Council and your awarding organisation.
Moderation, Orientation and British Canoeing Courses
We will be reviewing the guidance available and local situation of all our planned events in the coming months; where possible events will run, where required they will be postponed and alternative dates agreed with all parties.
If you are exhibiting symptoms typical of flu, a cold or have been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 infection, then you should not attend the course. If you have travelled to/from the countries/regions as listed in https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk you should contact us prior to travelling to the course.
If you cancel your attendance our usual terms and conditions will be applied for refunds, for cancellations within 2 weeks, we will review each case and consider if we can make a partial refund. In the case of moderation events, we will review each case individually but, where possible, we will provide extensions to provider roles.
Cancellation Policies
We recommend you review your cancellation policies and ensure your position is clear, you are advising your learners of that position at the time of booking and that your arrangement is balanced, fair and two way, e.g. what happens if you cancel the activity due to your own inability to provide the activity.
