Re: Application Pack for the Post of Freelance Cycle Instructor

Thursday, 03 March 2016

Dear Applicant,

Re: Application pack for the post of Freelance Cycle Instructor

Many thanks for your enquiry about the above position. Working as a cycle instructor can be immensely rewarding – passing on your love of cycling to the next generation of budding cyclists.

Please find attached a job description. If you think you’d enjoy this job and make an excellent Cycling Instructor, please apply by completing and returning your application along with a current CV by email or by post to the above address as soon as possible.

If your application is successful, we will contact you within 2 weeks of us receiving your details.

Many thanks for your interest; we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely,

Kieron McNab

Head of Training

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Freelance Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Are you an enthusiastic cyclist? Are you a great communicator? Would you like to share your passion for cycling? Outspoken Training is recruiting motivated individuals to deliver fun, dynamic, high quality cycle training courses to children and adults in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Peterborough and Suffolk. As well as being a regular and competent cyclist, you must be able to communicate effectively and will have some previous experience of and a strong interest in coaching or teaching.

Job Purpose

Deliver National Standard Cycle training courses and activities to children and adults.

Following theory and practical training (if you are not an already a qualified National Standard instructor) you will conduct cycling courses at various locations. 95% of the work involves working with groups of children in schools during term time.

The number of hours worked may vary from one week to the next depending on the number of courses being run, location, arrangement and availability. We cannot guarantee that you will work every week.

Responsibilities

§ Prepare, plan, deliver and evaluate cycle training courses

§ Complete course paperwork, including registers, consent forms, client assessments, course reports and results

§ Oversee health and safety standards during cycle training sessions with awareness of accident and incident reporting procedures

§ Conduct risk assessments of clients, cycles and training sites, including on-road locations

§ You will liaise with children, school representatives and parents

§ You will give advice to clients on any relevant cycling matters

§ You will report all course information and feedback to course manager

Requirements

Potential instructors must

§ Be passionate about cycling with an understanding of cycling as a sport, means of transport, leisure pursuit and healthy form of exercise.

§ Be a regular, competent cyclist able to cycle in a variety of traffic conditions, including busy urban environments.

§ Be able to teach groups and individuals of all ages, preparing, planning, delivering and evaluating cycle training courses.

§ Be available for work four days a week between Mondays and Fridays on a regular basis during school term time.

§ Be fit and healthy. Our training covers a wide geographical area and you will be standing up whilst working. You need to have good physical fitness and plenty of stamina.

§ Have proven experience working with groups of children in a teaching, coaching or instructing role or have an interest developing these skills.

§ Be able to complete course paperwork accurately and on time. This includes using Excel and email.

§ Be able to cope with the paperwork involved in being self-employed as you will be responsible for your own tax and National Insurance.

§ Be punctual, presentable, reliable and trustworthy, friendly, patient and enthusiastic, and have the ability to stay calm in all situations.

It is also useful if you

§ Are a qualified National Standard cycling instructor*

§ Possess an up-to-date first aid qualification (if not, then this will need to be completed within 6 months of starting work with us)

§ Can drive and have access to a car, since we work in schools throughout Cambridgeshire, Bedford, Huntingdonshire, Peterborough and Suffolk

§ Have good basic bike maintenance skills

§ Have other work, or not rely on cycle training as your main source of income. Why?

§ The cycle training courses run in 4 or 5-week blocks during term times which leaves gaps at the beginning and start of each term when you will not be working. School holidays are generally quiet, and there may be gaps of several weeks between work.

§ Daily working hours can vary from between two and six hours.

§ Availability of work may depend on the number of participating schools in your area

*If you are not a National Standard Cycle Instructor we will arrange for you to attend a 4 day course.

Safeguarding and employment checks

§ In order to work on behalf of Outspoken Training you must be willing to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure. You will not be able to start work until this is completed and must declare any conviction to us before we undertake this process

§ In order to work on behalf of Outspoken Training you must provide the names of two referees (one being your most resent employer)

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

National Standard Instructor recruitment process (Not qualified)

Step one: Return your application form together with a up to date CV and chat to Outspoken Training. Before returning your application make sure that you have read the job specification (above) and that what we can offer is what you are looking for.

On the strength of your application form and after a successful informal interview with Kieron or Rob in the Outspoken office, you will be offered a place on one of our National Standard Instructor training courses. Offering you a place means that from what you have told us, we think you would make a good cycle instructor.

Step two: National Standard Instructor training course:

This is a nationally-recognised certificate and consists of a four-day course which includes both classroom based and practical activities, followed by a practical teaching assessment. To work for Outspoken Training you must achieve a Provisional pass for the 4-day course.

Outspoken Training will waive the cost of attending the training course but will require a minimum commitment of 70 hours (estimated 4-6 courses) of Bikeability delivery in schools (see page 7).

Step three: Post training course:

Following the course, your Instructor Trainer will provide us with feedback on your performance. This will enable us to place you at suitable schools with appropriate experience instructors to help support you whilst you develop within the first few weeks of training. Furthermore the experienced instructors working with you during your initial on the job training support period, will be able to help prepare you for your post-course assessment which will need to be conducted within 6 month of your instructor training course. Before starting to teach in schools you will be subject to DBS and employment checks which can take up to 6 weeks or more to be returned.

National Standard Instructor recruitment process (for qualified instructors)

On the strength of your application form and after an informal chat with Kieron or Rob in the Outspoken office, you will be offered training in schools.

Step two: Once you begin delivering training on our behalf, you will be placed on our mentoring scheme aimed at supporting you through your delivery and to help improve the service we provide.
APPLICATION FORM – NATIONAL STANDARD INSTRUCTOR

Full Name:
Address:
Home telephone:
Mobile:
Email:
Date of birth for potential DBS check:
Would we need to make any special arrangements for an interview?
Where did you hear about the job?
Your availability (how often can you work Monday to Thursday per month)
1. Do you hold a current, clean driving licence? / Yes No
2. Do you have access to a car? / Yes No
3. Do you have a First Aid qualification? / Yes No
– If yes, please state they type of course and expiry date:
4. Do you have a Child Protection certificate? / Yes No
– If yes, please state the type of course and issue date:
5. Do you have a DBS less than 6 months old? / Yes No
6. Do you need to disclose anything which would show up on an Enhanced DBS check? / Yes No
– If yes, please state:
7. Do you have a National Insurance Number? / Yes No
– If yes, please state for potential DBS check:
Do you have experience of teaching/coaching or working with children or adults? (if yes, please give details or if not please detail why you would like to start teaching/coaching)

Please use the space below to tell us why you want this job and why you think you are a suitable candidate, including further information about any experience you have which is relevant to the post. This might be voluntary work or outside interests/ activities etc.

Referring to the job description, why do you wish to be a cycling instructor and what makes you suitable for the role? – Please continue on further sheets if necessary
What interests do you have outside of work?
References
Please provide details of 2 references, one of which should be your most current/ most recent employer. Please do not use family relatives:
1. / Full Name:
Address:
Email:
Work Telephone:
Your relationship to this referee: / Current/ Most recent employer
2. / Full Name:
Address:
Email:
Work Telephone:
Your relationship to this referee:
Are you eligible to work in the UK? / Yes No
Signature:
Date:

Please email or post this form to us:

Outspoken Training, Britannia House, Godesdone Road, Cambridge, CB5 8HR

The following section is to be completed by applicants who have not completed a National Standard Instructor course and have, in discussion with Outspoken Training, been given the option not to pay for the course in advance, but to complete a certain amount of unpaid work instead.

NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTRUCTOR COURSE

The National Standards Instructor Course will give you a nationally recognised qualification that you can use anywhere in the country. If Outspoken Training decides you are suitable for the role, Outspoken Training will fund the cost of this course but will expect you to complete a 70 hour training support period (roughly 4-6 courses). During this time, you will be supported by experienced instructors and will work towards the second part of the training, your Post Course Assessment. Throughout this period you will be paid £7 per hour which will go up to £12 per hour once the training period has been completed.

DECLARATION

I understand that should I be successful in being chosen, I commit to working for Outspoken Training during a training support period of 70 hours which I will be paid £7 an hour for.

I understand that any false information given on this application form may make an offer of employment invalid. I confirm that all the information given in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, true.

Signature:
Full Name:
Date:

Please email or post this form together with an up to date CV to Kieron McNab (Head of Training):

Outspoken Training,
Britannia House,
19-21 Godesdone Road,

Cambridge,

CB5 8HR