Outdoor Learning Specialist
ST0945
What is an Outdoor Learning Specialist?
Design, planning and delivery of programmes that provide learning and change using outdoor activities and experiences.
This occupation is found in outdoor sport, leisure, tourism, public health, youth work and education sectors. Apprentices are employed by charitable outdoor organisations, private and for-profit outdoor learning businesses, schools, expedition providers, social enterprises, etc. Outdoor Learning Specialists work within outdoor activity or education centres; outdoor adventure and activity businesses; expedition and sports tourism providers; early years, schools, colleges and universities; national parks, nature reserves and country parks; youth work and youth development organisations; health, wellbeing and social care contexts; and training and educational organisations.
The broad purpose of the occupation is the design, planning and delivery of programmes that provide progressive learning and change using outdoor activities and experiences. Typical impacts are educational achievement, personal and social development, health and wellbeing, nature connection, outdoor science, team cohesion, or practical skills development. In smaller organisations Outdoor Learning Specialists are likely to perform all duties of this standard within their role. In larger organisations their role may specialise in duties related to programme delivery, customer relationship management, staffing and team support, or safety and risk management for example. Outdoor Learning Specialists apply professional outdoor leadership judgement in order to facilitate safe and effective individual and group learning. Their technical and subject specific outdoor activity competence will have been developed through a mix of academic and vocational qualifications, and experience. They have a broad and specialised knowledge of the natural outdoor environment and determine likely hazards of undertaking activities and perform in-advance and in the moment (dynamic) risk – benefit assessments. They manage the allocated resources required for an outdoor learning programme, including delivery team, vehicles, trailers, technical equipment, catering, budget, etc. They are able to work autonomously to direct and support delivery staff and solve problems associated with a dynamic change in group, equipment, or environmental conditions using an appropriate problem solving, recovery, rescue or emergency response.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with programme participants; customers and stakeholders to identify needs and expectations, sequence, plan, monitor and report on the delivery of an outdoor learning programme; department heads of stores, hospitality, catering to prepare logistics; the allocated delivery team to direct their work on a programme; the operational or duty manager to report on safety and customer satisfaction; landowners, organisations, local communities, other users (human and fauna) where the outdoor learning programme is operating; and their line manager. They are able to perform in situations which are often physically and emotionally demanding, remote, unpredictable and complex. When the environment, weather conditions or individual circumstances change they will adapt their programme leadership approach to ensure the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of participants and the securing of interpersonal relationships of participants for prolonged periods of time.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for needs analysis & diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation of outdoor learning development programmes for children, young people and adults. They will be informed by relevant policies, reports, evidence and research and comply with the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) Code of Professional Conduct; first aid, safeguarding and professional liability responsibilities; and legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Equality Act and Adventure Activity Licensing Regulations (or any replacement scheme which may come into force). Outdoor Learning Specialists facilitate the progressive development of activity competence, inter-personal and intra-personal life skills, outdoor and environmental knowledge and understanding. They will coach, mentor and provide feedback to allocated outdoor activity session delivery staff to develop their knowledge and skills in meeting the outcomes of the programme. They follow the principles of sustainable use and minimum impact to the natural environment and promote on-going activity participation and engagement with the outdoors.
For further information regarding the standard
Funding Band
£13,000
Duration
24 Months (Does not include EPA)
Level
5
Entry requirements
Employers will have their own specific entry requirements but could include the following:
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Level 2 Award in Functional Skills English or equivalent
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Level 2 Award in Functional Skills Mathematics or equivalent
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18 years or above or at the employer’s discretion due to the nature of the work
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Existing skills and knowledge of Outdoor Activity
ON PROGRAMME
(MINIMUM DURATION 53 WEEKS)
On and off-the-job training to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours
English and Maths Level 2 (if required)
Production of a portfolio of evidence
GATEWAY (TYPICALLY 1 MONTH)
The employer must be content that the apprentice is working at or above the level of the occupational standard.
Apprentices must have achieved all qualifications mandated in the Outdoor Learning Specialist occupational standard. The qualifications required are:
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Level 2 Ofqual registered Award in Safeguarding relevant to the employer’s business.
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Level 3 Ofqual registered 2-day Outdoor First Aid Award
Apprentices must have achieved English and mathematics at Level 2.
Apprentices must submit to the EPAO:
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A logbook of evidence to underpin the professional discussion.
END-POINT ASSESSMENT (MAXIMUM 3 MONTHS)
End-point assessment consists of three methods,
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customer proposal report, presentation and questioning
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observation with questions
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professional discussion (underpinned by a logbook of evidence)
END-POINT ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS
PART 1 | CUSTOMER PROPOSAL REPORT
The customer proposal report will be a proposal to deliver a programme of progressive outdoor learning activities and experiences to enable participants to achieve outcomes agreed with the customer.
The customer proposal report should be 2000 words, including tables, graphs, figures, though excluding references and annexes. It should include:
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an introduction
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a programme plan (including sequence of outdoor activities and experiences; responsibilities; resources)
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how the required outputs, outcomes and impact will be achieved
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relevant research and evidence that underpins the chosen programme and approach
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details of all applicable legislation, codes of practice and workplace policies and procedures
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how participants progress towards achieving the outcomes will be monitored and assessed
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suggestions for alternative approached that might be considered
PART 2 | PRESENTATION AND QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION
The apprentice will be required to present the programme they have planned to meet the customer needs brief via a 60-minute presentation to the independent assessor which will be followed by 30 minutes of questions.
PART 3 | OBSERVATION AND QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
The apprentice will be assessed through an observation(s) of their normal work:
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briefing an allocated programme delivery team to ensure the needs of the customer and outcomes of the programme are understood and actively worked towards
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leading individual and/or group learning outdoors using safe activity instruction and professional judgement to enable all participants to contribute and respond to changing conditions and needs
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facilitating and engaging participants in the learning process to provide an equal and inclusive learning experience that supports participants to achieve the intended outcomes of the programme
The duration of the observation assessment will be 120 minutes and could be split over 2 working days
The apprentice will be required to answer 6 questions, the purpose of the questioning is to assess or clarify underpinning knowledge and behaviours.
The duration of the observation question and answer assessment will be 30 minutes.
PART 4 | PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSION + PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
A professional discussion will take place between the independent assessor and the apprentice, the purpose of the questions will be to assess areas that could not be readily assessed in the presentation or observation.
Topics and themes to be covered include:
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Identifying programme needs and expectations
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Strategies for building relationships and ensuring good customer service
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Digital technologies that can be used to support the delivery of outdoor learning
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The outdoor environment they work in Evaluating outdoor learning programmes
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The apprentices’ future contribution to challenges faced by Outdoor Learning
The duration of the professional discussion assessment will be 50 minutes.
GRADING CRITERIA
Apprentices who fail one or more assessment method will be awarded an overall EPA ‘fail’.
To gain an overall EPA ‘pass’, apprentices must achieve a pass in all the assessment methods.
To achieve an overall EPA ‘distinction’, apprentices must achieve distinction in all the assessment methods.
PROGRESSION ROUTES
On completion, Outdoor Activity Instructors may be eligible to apply to be Associate Professional of the Institute for Outdoor Learning to support their career development and progression.