Become an Approved Training Centre or Provider

What is an Approved Training Centre (ATC)?

The Approved Training Centre (ATC) scheme incorporates all facilities wishing to provide RLSS UK regulated qualifications. Organisations conducting RLSS UK regulated qualifications and assessments must obtain ATC approval.

The ATC scheme is designed to further support training providers in continual improvement and the pursuit of excellence when training or assessing.

What is an Approved Training Provider (ATP)?

Approved Training Providers (ATPs) empower and enable training companies or Trainers to deliver RLSS UK regulated qualifications to organisations such as schools, colleges or Scouts/Guide groups in any suitable location.

A good example of this scenario is your local school wanting to train in a formal, regulated qualification such as Emergency Paediatric First Aid. They do not have a permanent facility that’s classed as an ATC at their disposal, but they can ask an ATP to come and deliver training, to fulfil their needs

Approved Training Centre/Provider scheme benefits

Being part of the ATC/P scheme offers the following benefits:

  • Support from a dedicated team of RLSS UK Head Office support staff
  • Support from the RLSS UK field-based team as required
  • Free, online ‘Ongoing Training & Competency Assessment’ software that supports regular staff training www.ongoingtandca.org.uk
  • A certificate which demonstrates to internal and external customers that your facility delivers RLSS UK regulated qualifications (request required)
  • Free access to the RLSS Course Finder to advertise courses
  • Free marketing materials for all RLSS UK regulated qualification training courses

Compliance

RLSS UK is regulated by OFQUAL (England), Qualifications Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland. These regulators also govern other qualifications including GCSE and A-Level qualifications. RLSS UK regulated qualifications, therefore, demonstrate an expectation of very high standards and assurance of being ‘fit for purpose’. Having a regulated qualification demonstrates a mark of quality that is recognised globally and in order to maintain our regulatory status, we must ensure that the training and delivery of our qualifications are standardized and robust.

How to comply

  • Having the right people in place - As part of becoming an ATC/P, it is a requirement to nominate an ATC/P Centre Co-ordinator, an Internal Quality Assurer and a suitably qualified Trainer (or access to a suitably qualified Trainer).
  • Having the right equipment in place - RLSS UK recommends that you have the following in place (or access to the following):

Resuscitation manikins

The recommended ratio is one manikin per four candidates. This is applicable for Adult, Child and Infant manikins. Where manikins are not available to 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 to 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 will need to 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 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.

 

  • Have the following policies in place - Complaints Policy, Appeals Policy, Malpractice and Maladministration Policy, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy and Equality Policy. RLSS UK has created policy guidance and template policies for you to utilise. These can be downloaded here
  • Carry out Internal Quality Assurance checks (IQA) – It is a requirement that you carry out an IQA of trainer and assessor practice within your ATC/P. The person carrying out this check should be suitably qualified* and appointed within the ATC/P. They will carry out checks to ensure training and assessment are carried out as per our guidance materials. You can find more information about this in the ‘Approved Training Centre and Provider Guidance’ manual below.
  • Follow guidance – RLSS UK has created various guidance documents to ensure you comply with our requirements. The Approved Training Centre and Provider Guidance manual can be found here.

*If delivering NPLQ qualifications, this would need to be carried out by a competent person, however, for First Aid awards, the IQA Assessor should hold an RLSS UK IQA (or equivalent CPD) or regulated Internal Verification Qualification.