Volunteer Training

Courses Available

We have a variety of Volunteer Training Courses available including Safeguarding, Reasonable Adjustment, Branch Officials Training (BOT), New DC Training, Risk Assessments and the new series of Webinar Wednesdays!

Safeguarding Training

Training Levels/Courses 

The Pony Club recognises three levels of training:

1) Safeguarding for Equestrians – Initial Training, Tutor Lead (delivered face to face virtually)

2) Equestrian Advanced Safeguarding – Refresher Course, Self-Guided

3) Club Safeguarding Officer – For Area and Branch or Centre Safeguarding Officers, Tutor Lead (delivered     face to face virtually)

The first approved safeguarding workshop attended must be face to face or virtual. This may be followed three years later by the online refresher course. However, as a minimum, individuals should attend a face to face/virtual course every six years.

Who needs to attend a course?

All individuals who carry out a role in regulated activity/work must attend an approved safeguarding workshop. The only exception to this rule is for:

• First aiders who will only require a disclosure check, and,
• Those at residential camps where each night a minimum of two of the overnight supervisors must have attended an approved safeguarding workshop.

It is strongly recommended that any other persons carrying out regulated activity/work on an overnight basis at residential camps should also attend an approved safeguarding workshop.

Safeguarding Training for Members in Scotland

For those residing in Scotland only, please be aware you need to complete Module One from Sports Scotland prior to attending this course. Please ensure you register for a course at least 20 days before taking the virtual course to enable us to set up the registration with Sports Scotland.

Can I use my safeguarding course from another organisation?

An individual who has attended a safeguarding workshop externally delivered can apply for their learning to be taken into consideration as an alternative to attending the Pony Club offering.

Please see the following options.

Pre-Approved Courses

The Pony Club also has a list of pre-approved courses that can be attended in place of the BEF Safeguarding for Equestrians course. These do not need approval.

The pre-approved courses include:

• UK Coaching: Safeguarding and Protecting Children/ Safeguarding in Sport
• SportScotland: Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport
• SportScotland: In Safe Hands
• Sport Ireland: Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Sport
• CPSU Time to Listen
• NSPCC courses (depending on the level)
• Designated Lead Officer 3-day courses offered by your Local Authority

* Please provide a copy of certification to support processing on to PELHAM

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

For those courses not listed on the pre-approved list, the APL procedure should be followed.

The APL form can be downloaded below and should be submitted along with a copy of the certificate of attendance and course content details (e.g. learning outcomes and/or copy of presentation/handout). The procedure is detailed within the form.

To be shared with safeguarding@pcuk.org

Branch Officials Training (BOT)

What is BOT?

Branch Officials Training, also referred to as BOT, is a self-guided training package designed to support DCs and Branch Officials with their roles.

New DC Training Day

The training day is designed with New DC’s in mind, building on and furthering their understanding and knowledge that has been achieved in the Branch Officials Training Course.

The day will comprise of a series of presentations from senior officials and specialist Development Officers, focusing on the fundamentals of running a Branch and will including topics such as Safeguarding, Governance, Health and Safety and marketing.

Learning Outcomes
Through this training, you will gain an understanding about:
• Your role and responsibilities
• How Branches should run in accordance with The Pony Club and charity rules
• Fundamentals of compliance, including safeguarding and safety
• The IT systems available to support with your membership

This is a great opportunity to meet other DC’s, learn and share ideas and ask questions.  New dates for 2025 to be announced soon.

Risk Assessment Training

The Pony Club provides training to support those carrying out Risk Assessments for activities, this training is open to all- Members, coaches, volunteers and officials.

The training runs through the basics of carrying out a Risk Assessment such as identifying a Hazard and measures which could be put in place to support a safe event. These are run online via zoom and are bookable through the link below.

This training is ideal for all volunteers, especially committee members and event organisers. Whether you’re a parent volunteer running small rallies or organizing large area competitions, this training is essential!

Reasonable Adjustment

Equality & Inclusion

At The Pony Club, we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all members, parents, volunteers, officials and stakeholders irrespective of age, gender reassignment, disability, race or ethnicity.

The Pony Club endorses the principle of sports equality and strives to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved in Pony Club Sport and Activities, whether as participants, team members, spectators, volunteers, coaches or staff:

• has a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, ethnicity (including race, colour and nationality) sexual orientation and socio-economic background.
• can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected and in particular that they are able to enjoy all Pony Club activities without the threat of intimidation, bullying, victimisation, harassment or abuse

Further information and links to document templates can be found in the Resource Hub.

Webinar Wednesdays

The Pony Club is excited to announce the launch of Webinar Wednesdays, a new monthly training initiative designed to support our dedicated volunteers and officials. Held on the third Wednesday of each month, these informative webinars will be hosted on Microsoft Teams at 7pm.

Each session is free and will be led by team members and volunteers with extensive experience in the related field. The webinars will cover a range of topics relevant to our volunteers, providing valuable insights and practical advice.

Webinar Details:

• Date and Time: Third Wednesday of each month at 7pm
• Sign-up: Entry Master
• Duration: 1 hour (50 minutes of training + 10 minutes Q&A)
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Cost: Free for all volunteers and officials

Participants are encouraged to submit their questions in advance through Entry Master during sign-up or via the Teams Q&A chat during the session. If any questions remain unanswered by the end of the webinar, they will be addressed in a follow-up communication.

To ensure accessibility and convenience, all sessions will be recorded. Although participants will be off camera and muted, the chat feature will remain available for questions. The recorded webinars will be uploaded to The Pony Club’s YouTube channel a few days after the live session, allowing those who could not attend to catch up.

Please note, there will be no sessions in August due to The Pony Club Championship commitments. Additionally, December’s session will take place on the first Wednesday of the month to accommodate holiday schedules.

We look forward to your participation in Webinar Wednesdays and to continuing to improve our training for the benefit of our members.

See below for 2024 session dates and subjects.