Skills Schemes Quality Manual

Providers are approved and supported by Mountain Training England for each scheme they deliver.

A provider can be an individual or an organisation, and in many cases is the same person with dual responsibilities. The provider account held on Mountain Training’s Candidate Management System (CMS) has an individual ‘administrator’. This individual is the primary link between the provider and their national training organisation.

REQUIREMENTS:
Providers must;

• Ensure participants are registered for the scheme before attending a course.
• Ensure course programmes achieve the minimum contact time for the skills scheme.
• Send course programmes and information to participants in advance of their course.
• Appoint an approved nominated tutor for each course.
• Ensure that minimum participant numbers are met for each course.
• Disseminate Mountain Training update information to all course delivery staff.
• Pay fees to their Mountain Training national training organisation.
• Ensure that appropriate professional indemnity insurance is in place.
• Ensure appropriate first aid provision is in place.
• Ensuring an AALS licence is in place if required.

Providers may nominate an administrator who has a thorough understanding and knowledge of the skills scheme and course content. This role can be used for managing the creation of courses and course bookings on Mountain Training's Candidate Management System (CMS) however, it still remains the responsibility of the provider.

Exceptional circumstances can affect a provider’s ability to deliver a course in line with this quality manual. Mountain Training understands this, and in these circumstances the provider must contact their national training organisation for the necessary support.

REQUIREMENTS:
Providers must ensure;

• Pre-course information must outline the scheme within the Mountain Training Pathway, registration process, pre-course requirements, joining instructions and course program.
• All communication must adhere to the requirements highlighted on the Branding and Marketing page.
• All course staffing adheres to our requirements outlined in the scheme handbook and below. Course staff should be regularly reviewed on their suitability for the role. Scheme Information highlights key requirements within the scheme handbook.
• Adherence to our requirements outlined on the CMS and Course Reporting page

In communicating directly with participants, providers are ambassadors for Mountain Training. To support providers in this role, regular dialogue with Mountain Training is encouraged.

To avoid participants booking onto a course for which they are either not registered or is inappropriate for their needs, providers must ensure potential participants receive relevant skills scheme information before accepting their booking.

Once their booking is confirmed, participants must be added to their course on CMS in advance of the course beginning. Joining instructions and a course programme must also be sent to participants. Mountain Training has model templates for providers to use.

Providers must ensure that minimum participant numbers are met and recorded on CMS in advance of a course commencing. If minimum numbers for a course are not achieved 5 days in advance of a course commencing, the provider should contact the technical officer of their Mountain Training national training organisation. This officer will assist the provider in making appropriate decisions to give the best possible service to participants. Please refer to the CMS and Course Reporting page.

Mountain Training wish to give special consideration to participants who suffer temporary illness, injury or indisposition during courses. If this occurs providers should contact the relevant national training organisation for further support. Examples of eligibility might include a sudden onset of an illness, bereavement or domestic emergency.

Tutors are approved and supported by their national training organisation to deliver a skills scheme for a specific provider. Tutors and course staff are ambassadors for Mountain Training and are expected to act in a professional manner.

All courses must have an approved nominated tutor who is managed by the provider. Tutors may work for other providers but must be added to the provider's account in advance of the course.

REQUIREMENTS:
The nominated tutor's responsibilities include;

• Course coordination (incl. choice of venues, syllabus content to be covered)
• Managing other course staff..
• Opening and closing each course.
• Tutors are expected to work the full duration of a course.
• Debriefing at the end of each course.
• Submitting a completed course report form (incl. incident report form if required).

In normal operating procedures, fulfilling the above roles and responsibilities will dictate one lead tutor per course. Therefore, if a provider offers courses on the same dates, or if the dates overlap in anyway, including split/modular courses, the provider should ensure that each course has a different lead tutor.

Mountain Training England recognises that unusual circumstances e.g. staffing issues, staff illness or a family emergency might dictate flexibility in this requirement. In such a situation the provider must contact us and seek permission to deviate from the above requirements.

Please refer to the CMS and Course Reporting for more information.

REQUIREMENT:

• Tutors must ensure that all course staff working on a course are familiar with the relevant scheme handbook and possess the necessary skills to deliver the course. Nominated tutors should be mindful of the strengths and weaknesses of course staff and support them appropriately.
• Tutors must create a positive learning environment for all participants, as well ensuring the scheme requirements are met.
• Tutors cannot present themselves as a providers. Please refer to the Branding and Marketing for further details.

Contact time must be face to face, in person or online, for example using video conferencing software, and allow immediate response to questions and feedback.

Alongside advice given during a course, each participant should receive guidance on how to develop appropriate experience and where to gain further support from.

Mountain Training expects providers and tutors to be committed to the long-term delivery and promotion of skills schemes. Mountain Training works in partnership with providers and tutors to maintain national standards.

REQUIREMENTS:

Providers

• Providers must deliver at least one course for each skills scheme they are approved to deliver every two years. For Hill & Mountain Skills providers a 'Hill' or 'Mountain Skills' course will suffice. For 'Rock Skills' providers an 'Introduction', 'Intermediate', or 'Learn to Lead' course will suffice. If the relevant courses are not delivered within a two year period the provider approval status will be removed.

Tutors

• Tutors must direct at least one course for each skills scheme they are approved to deliver every two years. For Hill & Mountain Skills providers a 'Hill' or 'Mountain Skills' course will suffice. For 'Rock Skills' providers an 'Introduction', 'Intermediate', or 'Learn to Lead' course will suffice. If the relevant courses are not delivered within a two year period the provider approval status will be removed.

• Approved tutors are required to attend an online ‘Tutor and Staff Update - Skills Schemes - Mountain Training England' event each year. As the topics covered will be similar on each, one attendance will suffice.  Four evening events will be delivered through the year, approximately 1+hrs in duration and must be booked in advance on CMS. Please be aware attendance does not satisfy course director requirements; these being outlined in the Leadership Schemes Quality Manual for those concerned. 

   

  Although there is no requirement to attend an update event in person tutors are welcome to attend Mountain Training 'Course Directors and Staff Update Workshop - Leader and instructor qualifications' and ‘Mountain Training England/ Mountain Training Cymru National Provider Conference’ if they wish. Association CPD event attendance is encouraged to maintain currency in the role. 

   

• Tutors must be attached to providers on CMS to retain approval.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Providers and tutors are expected to behave in such a way as to not bring Mountain Training into disrepute. Behaviour raising concerns could include serious shortcomings in course delivery, the safety and well-being of participants, public criticism of other providers or inappropriate postings on social media.

Providers and course staff may become aware of potential conflicts of interest. Mountain Training consider a conflict of interest to be where an individual is negatively influenced in their decision making due to potential personal benefit.

If providers or course staff become aware of an issue that could be perceived as a conflict of interest they should notify the relevant national training organisation. Mountain Training requests statements of interest where a potential conflict could exist.

Providers and tutors who behave in such a way as to bring Mountain Training into disrepute may be required to account for their actions. This may merit further action.

Mountain Training recognises the value of observing courses to further personal and professional development. Observation opportunities are at the discretion of the Tutor in all cases.

Observers should not negatively impact on the course delivery. They must be recorded on the course report (i.e. added as an 'Observers') highlighting which aspects were observed (i.e. within the 'Confidential Comments'). It is not normally permissable to have more than one observer in attendance.

Course directors should support individuals reflecting on their experiences especially if individuals wish to apply for Tutor approval in the future. A form is available on the Resources and Downloads page to support reflection.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Staff must be familiar with current scheme information. This will include the registration process, individual scheme and official Mountain Training handbooks and Mountain Training’s National Guidelines. Mountain Training’s website is continually updated and should be viewed as the definitive source for scheme information and FAQs.
• To answer common candidate questions, delivery staff must possess a broad understanding of Mountain Training’s qualification schemes, their scope and the role of the Mountaineering Councils, and must be familiar with current skills scheme information. This will include registration processes, individual skills schemes and handbooks.
• All courses must adhere to our minimum duration, course size and staffing ratio requirements as outlined in Scheme Information.
• All courses must be independently identifiable and not 'hidden' within a longer scheme of training, for example during a college course.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Any equipment provided to participants must be fit for purpose. Where participants provide their own safety critical equipment, tutors should ensure this too is fit for purpose.
• An important learning outcome for participants is to appreciate the variety of suitable and commonly used equipment for specific activities. Tutors should enable this process to occur, directing participants to supporting resources where appropriate.

REQUIREMENT:

• Providers and tutors must ensure that appropriate environments are available for briefings

It is not acceptable to use busy or noisy public areas which may compromise course delivery. This is particularly important on assessments. Ideally, courses will start and finish at an appropriate indoor venue where it is possible to sit down and talk.

The course base must allow easy and convenient access to appropriate venues. 

REQUIREMENT:

• Courses must be delivered in moorland or mountain regions or at crags and climbing walls appropriate for the specific scheme, and within close proximity to the course meeting point. Extended travel time during a course should be avoided.

Course approval is granted on the basis of a provider delivering courses at identified locations or within certain geographic areas. Providers and directors are asked to inform Mountain Training England if planning to deliver courses outside of these areas to assist in building a national picture of award scheme delivery. Mountain Training courses can only be run in the UK (incl. Isle of Man) and Ireland.

Should providers or tutors be unsure as to the suitability of any particular venue then they should contact Mountain Training for further guidance.

Hill & Mountain Skills

Hill Skills

Hill Skills courses can be run in a variety of hill, moorland and countryside areas of the UK and Ireland. This course is aimed at beginner walkers. Good examples of such terrain include:

• Peak District
• North Yorkshire Moors
• Pennines
• Cheviots
• Clwydian Hills
• Pentland Hills
• Lammermuirs
• Dartmoor

It is also possible to deliver a Hill Skills course on the borders of mountainous areas providing that the terrain used fits within the scope of the Hill Skills scheme. Tutors need to ensure that the Hill Skills course does not venture into mountainous terrain.

Mountain Skills

The Mountain Skills course is a progression from the Hill Skills course and is aimed at people who have already done some hill walking. Mountain Skills courses need to take place within the key mountain regions of the UK or Ireland:

• Snowdonia
• Brecon Beacons
• Lake District
• Mountains of Mourne
• Scottish Highlands
• Galloway Hills

Providers and tutors need to be confident that areas chosen show a clear terrain progression for those who have already completed a Hill Skills course.

Mountain Training recognises that providers and course tutors frequently operate in adverse weather conditions, running courses year round. This can create good learning opportunities for candidates, providing a flexible approach to course programming is maintained.

Occasionally adverse conditions become severe and it becomes impractical or impossible to run courses effectively.

Adverse weather conditions include:

• Wide spread flooding
• Storm force winds
• Winter conditions

In the case of adverse weather conditions negatively affecting course delivery providers should consider rescheduling part/all of the course. Providers may contact Mountain Training for additional support if required.

Winter Conditions

The planning of course dates throughout the winter period needs careful consideration. Should heavy winter conditions be forecast or present, providers need to be fully prepared to reschedule courses to a later date. Ideally this should be done in advance to avoid fragmenting the course delivery. Pre course information for participants should clearly outline that courses may be cancelled/postponed during the winter period.

The Candidate Management System (CMS) is a database and online tool, managed by Mountain Training and used by candidates, providers, directors and Mountain Training to administer all qualifications.

Administrators and course staff have access to personal data through tahdah so that they can fulfil their responsibilities. Access to personal data through tahdah is strictly for this purpose only and must not be shared beyond the platform. 

The digital logbook (DLOG) is part of the CMS. DLOG is used by candidates to record their experience, and by Mountain Training, providers and directors to evaluate candidate experience.

REQUIREMENT

Whenever providers or course staff add candidates to courses or complete a course report, they are processing personal data. When processing personal data, those concerned must comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), as they apply in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 

Most providers in the UK will need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Those concerned can complete a self-assessment questionnaire to find out whether they must register: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-fee/data-protection-fee-self-assessment/ 

For more information on use please refer to CMS and Course Reporting

REQUIREMENT:

• Providers must allow moderation visits unconditionally at anytime.
• Providers must satisfactorily complete actions required within timelines given.

Moderation visits are an important part of Mountain Training’s quality assurance system, providing an opportunity for one-to-one dialogue between Mountain Training moderators and participants, providers, tutors and course staff.

Mountain Training staff will prioritise visits based upon participant feedback, frequency of courses and locations, with the aim of gaining a valuable insight into the national standard of the scheme. Providers may be contacted at any time during the year to arrange a moderation visit. Moderation visits are a minimum of 4hrs in duration.

The moderator will support providers, tutors and course staff in maintaining our national standards for the schemes they deliver. It is the moderator’s role to observe, carefully consider and positively influence course delivery by meaningfully communicating with delivery staff, during and after the course.

Mountain Training also uses moderation visits as an opportunity to engage with candidates, verifying that delivery meets their needs and identifying areas where Mountain Training can improve the service provided to them.

Moderators will examine all aspects of course provision and delivery. A blank form outlining the key categories is available on the Resources page.

Following attendance Tutors will be given written feedback, and actions where appropriate. On the rare occasion that performance is determined to have been unsatisfactory this will be communicated and action points will be given that must be completed within the given time scale. A follow up moderation visit will be attended. Mountain Training reserves the right to suspend or terminate approvals, aligned to terms within the MTE Provider Agreement, if there is significant cause for concern.

A written moderation report will be uploaded to CMS for the course provider, director and staff to read.

Mountain Training is committed to promoting the principles of equality with its skills schemes open to all. Mountain Training works with the Mountaineering Councils and other key partners to remove barriers to participation.

Providers and tutors should be aware of obligations in respect of compliance with gender, race and disability discrimination legislation and undertake the delivery of skills in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Providers and tutors have the discretion to adjust training and course delivery methodology to enable participants to fully access and benefit from the skills scheme

REQUIREMENT:

• Providers and tutors must report incidents and near misses that occur during Mountain Training courses, as outlined in the Incident & Near Miss Reporting.

Developing an understanding of risk management is a key outcome for participants attending Mountain Training skills scheme courses, yet facilitating this process requires participants and tutors themselves potentially being exposed to risk. In rare circumstances this can result in an incident or near miss.

What is an incident?
Mountain Training would consider an incident to be an unplanned occurrence or event resulting in a fatality, injury, loss or damage to persons or property. This includes events giving rise to physical, emotional or psychological harm. An incident may result in a participant withdrawing from their skills course.

What is a near miss?
Mountain Training would consider a near miss to be an event, or sequence of events, which could have led to an incident.

The sharing of such information enables Mountain Training to identify recurring issues and disseminate information appropriately to support skills scheme delivery.

Incident and near miss reporting is a confidential process. Information is not shared externally unless agreed by all concerned.

An audit of providers and tutors is undertaken annually. Providers and tutors who do not meet the minimum requirements outlined within this manual and accompanying policies are at risk of having their provider and tutor status removed. These requirements extend to ongoing action points given after a moderation

In the case of a provider wishing to withdraw their provider status they should contact Mountain Training England. Please be aware, we are not responsible for any financial losses incurred as a result of a provider choosing to withdraw.

Disputes raised by a provider relating to the MTE Provider Agreement, its interpretation and implementation will be managed using the process outlined in Appendix C of the agreement (P12).

Mountain Training recognises the vital contribution made by providers and tutors in maintaining our excellent reputation.

Mountain Training provides a range of services to support providers, tutors and participants, including:

• Sharing of updates and good practice through a variety of mediums.
• Provider and course staff resources on Mountain Training’s website.
• Maintenance and development of the Candidate Management System.
• Opportunity to talk face-to-face with technical staff at Siabod Cottage.
• Telephone and email support.
• Promotion of schemes on Mountain Training's website, at events and via stakeholders.
• Dealing with complaints in a sensitive and timely manner.