and Accredited Qualifications and Centres

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1 and Accredited Qualifications and Centres

2 EAQ Mission Statement EAQ is an innovative organisation, aiming to make experiential equine assisted learning accessible to individuals and groups. EAQ is committed to developing and providing education, training and qualifications and setting standards of excellence for learners, trainers and other professionals. By promoting excellence in the provision of equine assisted learning, we aim to be an exceptional company making a valuable contribution to the development of individuals, businesses and the wider community. Copyright EAQ (Equine Assisted Qualifications) Limited All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise. No copies may be taken for educational or commercial purposes without the prior written permission of the publisher. The word EAQ and the EAQ logo are Registered Trademarks belonging to EAQ (Equine Assisted Qualifications) Limited. Information is correct at time of going to press but may change without notice. Contact us via our website: Call us on: +44 (0) Write to us at: Rowberry Pump House, Donhead St Andrew, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0ET Designed by Win Green Hill Ltd

3 Contents Contents Introduction Becoming a Facilitator Process for Becoming an EAQ Certified Facilitator Introduction Day and Horse Awareness Facilitator Facilitator Training EAQ Approved Centres EAQ Founder Tricia Day (centre) was one of the International Educators at Equitana, Sydney, November 2013

4 Introduction Introduction EAQ is an innovative, professional organisation specialising in training and accredited qualifications for equine assisted learning centres as well as promoting training and qualifications for those learners who attend sessions. Many of our centres specialise in working with certain groups of people. Some work with young people with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties offering an outdoor horse-based curriculum leading to nationally recognised qualifications while others work with adults in recovery from drug and alcohol misuuse and others focus on the corporate sector. Whatever group you are considering, the training we offer will enable you to think, not only about your skills as a facilitator but about your horse awareness too. Quality is important to us and we set measurable standards for facilitators and centres providing continuing professional development for staff. Standards for horse care and horse awareness are a vital element, as is our outdoor, herd-based approach to horsecare. I hope that this information will be helpful for you and look forward to welcoming you to the online network or meeting you at one of our training days. Tricia Day 1

5 Becoming a Facilitator Becoming a Facilitator You need to be over the age of 19 to apply and have relevant skills and qualifications. Awareness The horse awareness and handling skills you need are covered in our Horse Awareness Certificate Programme. Relevant qualifications might include those for teaching, counselling, therapy or mental health professionals. NVQs are also relevant qualifications, especially for assessors and verifiers. If you are working in the corporate sector, qualifications such as an MBA, Diploma in Management or other certificates would be appropriate. If you don t have professional qualifications then you can still be a facilitator. Life experience counts for a lot with equine assisted learning and can help you to identify with your learners. You can be extremely competent and yet not have a certificate to prove it. You can train and work as a facilitator even if you do not have your own horses. You will need access to horses so that you can complete the EAQ Horse Awareness Certificate and be able to borrow or hire suitable horses for working with any learners. delivered We run course sessions in a number of different ways and for different lengths of time. There is a longer, intensive course for those who wish to progress quickly through the training and other shorter courses of two, three or four days. You can choose the best format for you. There are courses in term-time and holidays, at weekends and during the week. Who will be teaching me Our qualified trainers, assessors and verifiers have met the exacting standards set by the awarding body and been approved for their role. do I show that I'm competent You will put together a portfolio of evidence showing how you have met the assessment criteria for each unit. Once you have been succesfully assessed and verified, we will be able to apply for your certificates.

6 The process for becoming an EAQ Certified Facilitator Introduction Day Attend an Introduction Day Continuing Professional Development Take part in further training to continue your professional development. Horse Awareness Certificate Attend sessions and build a portfolio for assessment. EAQ Certified Facilitator Apply to use this professional designation Facilitator Training Attend training to gain the underpinning knowledge Achieve Certification Conduct Case Studies Work on case studies to practise your skills Build a Portfolio Gather evidence and build a portfolio for assessment 3

7 Introduction Day and Horse Awareness Certificate Attending an Introduction Day is the first stage in the process and it is important that you attend before enrolling on the Facilitator Training. By attending the day you will have an opportunity to: Find out about EAQ and the support available Assess your skills against the criteria Experience some equine assisted learning activities Find out about the structure of the training and fees. We will talk with you about your skills and whether we think the training will be appropriate for you. We can help you to map out a relevant training programme to meet your aspirations. EAQ Horse Awareness Certificate (HAC) We recommend that everyone starts with the Horse Awareness Certificate. This certificate is available to anyone interested in understanding more about horses. You do not need to continue on to the other facilitator training units if you wish to work on your own horsemanship or personal development. The assessment criteria for this unit covers areas such as herd dynamics and behaviour as well as how to work with loose horses or those which are controlled with a halter and leadrope. The mental and emotional well-being of the horses are important to us and so we help participants to increase their self awareness as well as their awareness of horse signals and how to interpet those signals. As well as attending training sessions there is an online group to help keep you motivated and moving along on your horsemanship journey. Horse Awareness Learning Outcomes 1. Observe and interpret behaviour 2. Understand horses in a herd 3. Understand how horses learn 4. Understand how to reinforce desired behaviour 5. Use energy to affect the horse's behaviour 6. Use reinforcement by release to shape a desired behaviour 7. Develop feel with the horse on a lead rope 8. Help a horse overcome fear of an object 9. Ensure the horse's mental and emotional well-being 10. Work with a horse in an equine assisted learning session. Deb has recently started the training and had this to say about her first four-day block of training. Do I really need to do the horse awareness? You may have been around horses all your life and learnt skills from well-known trainers, however, working with horses in an equine assisted learning environment is different from other types of handling or riding. You will be able to assess your skills for yourself on the Introduction Day and decide if you need to attend the training. "Thank you for a great time. Have already done some work with the Suffolks and have noticed things that I have not seen before. The mare has been extremely interesting and I think I need to video what she does and watch it back to see her a bit clearer. Thinking about it now I should have videoed it so I could see the change in them all over time." 4

8 Facilitator Training Englis, Maths and ICT We need to assess your skills in English, Maths and Information Communication Technology (ICT). This is part of the requirements placed upon us by the awarding body and OFQUAL (the regulator for qualifications). Anyone is able to take part in the Horse Awareness Certificate without having an assessment of their academic skills. What will I achieve? We have chosen the Level 3 Award in Managing, Preparing and Delivering a Short Training Programme from the UK's Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) as we believe that having a nationally recognised qualification is one of the best ways to show that you are working to a high standard within your equine assisted learning sessions. There are three units within this qualification and the way we deliver these will focus specifically on equine assisted learning. The facilitator training aims to enable you to: Prepare for an equine assisted learning session Deliver an equine assisted learning session Manage an equine assisted learning programme. Who is the Awarding Body? The awarding body is 'apt awards'. They are an independent awarding body regulated by Ofqual. How long will it take? The time it takes to meet the criteria will depend on your skills when you start the training, your speed of learning and commitment to the process. You will have 12 months in which to train and put together your portfolio. When you can show that you are competent and your portfolio has been successfully verified we will be able to apply for your certificate. Rachel is a Head Teacher at a special school for looked-after children which is classed as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. She said You will need to attend training, complete assignments including case studies and put together a portfolio of evidence to show how you have met the assessment criteria. 5

9 EAQ Certified Facilitator is a professional designation and you can apply once you have successfully completed the four units for facilitators. Certified Facilitators are required to: have a DBS check (previously CRB check) hold a current First Aid Certificate, have adequate insurance sign the EAQ Code of Professional Conduct pay the appropriate fees. Certified Facilitators have their own online private group so that they can share ideas and information. Other benefits include access to continuing professional development and a complimentary ticket to the annual EAQ Conference. "EAQ Certified Facilitators have a wealth of experience to share. There are lots of people all at different places in their journey. I know I have been very grateful for support, advice and guidance from yourself and others and I am sure I will continue to access this. I hope at some point I will have something to offer others and would be willing to do so." Continuing As an EAQ Certified Facilitator you will be able to access a range of courses and training events designed to help with your continuing professional development. These include working with: children with autism spectrum conditions young people excluded from school team building, leadership and management corporate groups those with mental health issues emotional, social and behavioural difficulties Accredited qualifications for learners As well as the qualifications available for facilitators, we also have independently accredited, nationally recognised qualifications for learners who attend sessions at centres. These include: Work Preparation for Land-based Industries Character Development Accredited horse units We have 10 independently accredited horse units which were specially written for learners who attend sessions at EAQ Approved Centres. They cover aspects of horsemanship and horse awareness at Entry 3 and Level 1. These units are: Approach Halter and Release Care for a Horse at Grass Care for and Handle a Horse's Feet Groom a Horse Lead a Horse at Walk Preparing to Lead a Horse Recognising Horse Colours and Markings Understanding Horse Senses Understanding Horses in a Herd Working with a Horse at Liberty Some of our non-accredited courses include: Developing an Internet Strategy Making the most of Social Networking business skills and centre development. 6

10 EAQ Approved Centres What are the EAQ Standards? The aim of the EAQ Approved Centre Standards are to: - raise awareness of equine assisted learning - raise standards of welfare for equines taking part in this type of activity - increase understanding of horse-human interaction - improve horse handling skills - provide advice to facilitators and centre owners - promote experiential equine assisted learning. What is approval based on? EAQ Approval is based on: - an outdoor, herd-based approach to horse care - horse handling in line with good horsemanship ideals - health and safety considerations - the facilitation skills and qualifications of personnel - the learning environment - an experiential philosophy to learning. What are the benefits? Benefits of joining the EAQ Approvals scheme include: - the reassurance that you belong to a network of professional equine assisted learning organisations - access to the online group for EAQ Approved Centres - regular newsletters to keep you up to date - your centre details added to the EAQ website - recognition certificate to display at your premises - use of the EAQ Approved Centre logo on your stationary and website - complimentary ticket to the annual EAQ Conference. Who can apply? Any establishment which is involved in facilitating sessions where horses and people are able to interact with each other is welcome to apply. You might be an individual offering one to one sessions on an ad hoc basis or an equine college working 5 days a week with hundreds of horses. It doesn t matter what you call your centre, whether you refer to it as therapy, facilitated psychotherapy or a horse boy camp. Neither does it matter about your client group. So whether you are working with young children or corporate clients you are welcome to apply. You need to have: - at least one person who is an EAQ Certified Facilitator - personnel who are DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked - public liability insurance to a minimum of 5,000,000. 7

11 What do others say? "I want to thank you so much for that lovely 2 days, of information, inspiration, restoration & all & all. I came away with a clearer idea of where I'm going with my plans, & a far better idea of how to get there, in fact so much buzzing in my head that I found it quite difficult to settle back to life as I know it here!" "The lessons are a brilliant idea they help to keep you focused and you get added info which adds learning and practice and reinforces what you have already done." "I am finding the weekly lessons very useful and motivating. They encourage me to think about what, why and how I am interacting with the horses and they have also enabled an opportunity to think about why things might not turn out how I would like them too, good reflective tool as you can sometimes feel a little isolated." "Just to say how much I enjoyed the start of the Horse Awareness Certificate. I am putting things into practice and hope to get a significant amount of work done before we meet in April. L has agreed to get me on film but I will be doing it in private at first until I get more confident but the horses are pleased to see me even if they are a bit perplexed at my attitude lol. Even my trusty stead Doris, I think is wondering if I am on Drugs!!!!" "I had a really special weekend. I have learnt so much and I loved learning from the group and you! It really helped to refocus me, and now I know what I have to research to move towards becoming a facilitator and have my own place." If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Resources You can purchase some of the resources we use on the training from Amazon including: Cloud DVD and books by Ginger Kathrens In Tune with Your Horse and The Role of the Facilitator in Equine Assisted Learning by Tricia Day You can: Follow us on Twitter Like us Facebook or subscribe to the Tel: +44 (0) centre@equineassistedqualifications.com Write to us at: Rowberry Pump House, Donhead St Andrew, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0ET "The training sessions are very important to share and learn from others and are an important element of the experiential learning journey." "I really enjoyed the horse sessions they help me every day I work with the horses. I notice more and talk less." The Launch of Foxdale Equine Assisted Learning Centre, Lincolnshire, May 2014

12 u EAQ (Equine Assisted Qualifications) Ltd Tel: +44 (0) Company Registered in England No Registered Office: 18 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8JG