More information on the KCAI Scheme

Paul Rawlings A welcome from the Chairman

Following a thorough investigation into dog training and behavioural services in the UK, the Kennel Club launched the KCAI scheme as a pilot in March 2001. The aim was to work with a large number of pro-active people, from a variety of backgrounds, to help with its development. The Kennel Club wished to ensure that the Scheme would meet the needs of the dog owning public, and also benefit the membership and offer a worthwhile accreditation.

City & Guilds NPTC, the biggest awarding body in the UK for vocational awards has formally endorsed the KCAI Scheme, and awarded Centre Approval for the Kennel Club, offering the national qualification the ‘Kennel Club National Quality Award for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour’. This means that for the first time in the UK, instructors involved in teaching dog training and advising on canine behaviour will have the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised, credible and externally verified qualification. Dog owners and dog training enthusiasts will also benefit by having the reassurance of a national standard to ensure that they are provided with the best quality advice and service. This is awarded upon gaining the Kennel Club Accreditation.

The KCAI scheme is primarily a membership scheme, aiming to unite all those who work teaching others in any aspect of dog training and canine behaviour. It is designed also to promote further education; it is not a course, but it does set a syllabus for members to work through and compile a supporting portfolio.

The Scheme works by the allocation of points to reflect current levels of knowledge and experience, allowing members to self-assess and produce a professional profile. For more experienced members, Accreditation is available through written, oral and practical assessment, provided that all of the criteria set by the scheme are satisfied. All members are also required to show continuing professional development (CPD), updating information with their annual renewal.

Upon registering you will receive a full Educational Guidance Pack which will be the basis of your portfolio. You are also required to complete an Assessment of Prior Learning form, which is a way of determining your membership status and also a way of ‘getting to grips’ with the points scoring system. Along with reference notes for guidance these will get you through the first stage. You will also receive a Code of Practice poster, membership card and a list of our mentors who can offer help and advice along the way.

Please fill in the registration form carefully and clearly and return it with a cheque for the appropriate fee. Please note that in registering, you commit to the scheme and all that it entails, therefore you will need to read and understand the requirements of the Scheme’s Code of Practice for Instructors before signing.

Thank you for your interest in the scheme. We would be delighted if you would join and work with us in raising standards, making a difference for dogs.

Paul Rawlings

Chairman of the Accreditation Board

Scheme and Membership Details

Aims and Objectives

The Aims:

to have a united membership body, that is committed to help others appreciate dogs in society.
to educate its members and, through them, the dog-owning public.
to set the standard of instructing and services for dog-owners.

The Objectives:

to promote responsible dog ownership
provide educational guidance for members
to offer a personal and credible qualification
to maintain a national register of qualified Instructors
encourage continuing professional development and high standards of instructing
help unite all aspects of training and behaviour
provide a communication network for Instructors
NB. For the purposes of this scheme the term ‘Instructor’ shall apply to all those who instruct, teach, advise or counsel in any area of dog training and canine behaviour, or intend to in the future.

Public Confidence

All Members are:

bound by the Kennel Club Code of Practice for Instructors
actively promoting dogs and responsible ownership
committed to work in the best interests of canine welfare

Members are acknowledged for their:

practical instructing experience
knowledge and range of training skills
knowledge of care, welfare and safety
understanding of dog / human psychology and behaviour
expertise within individual canine activities

Points System

The Scheme works by converting all that a member knows or does into points. Two scores are allocated to each topic, one to reflect their Level of Underpinning Knowledge [LUK] and the other to reflect their practical application of that knowledge, Justified by Experience Level [JEL].

Members with at least five years instructing experience and sufficient points across the scheme are eligible to apply for assessment for accreditation.

Accreditation is awarded following evaluation of the portfolio evidence and the successful completion of a full practical and oral assessment.

Accredited Instructors are entitled to use the initials KCAI, with their area(s) of accreditation appearing abbreviated in brackets.

The Scheme is flexible and uses an educational guidance programme to aid members as they progress.

SECTION A - Applied Knowledge of Theories

Section A aims to increase and enhance members practical application of theoretical knowledge. It covers all aspects of dog ownership and emphasises the need to recognise personal limitations and network with other professionals (including veterinary and legal) in the best interest of the dog and its owner.

SECTION B - Background Experience

Section B aims to encourage an appreciation of the range of skills in the world of dogs. It divides all the dog-related activities into separate modules. Members may claim points within any number of modules that have contributed to their personal knowledge and practical experience, claiming higher scores in their main activities due to their greater level of involvement and achievement.

5 modules are required for ‘Accreditation’, including Responsible Dog Ownership (RDO) and modules to cover areas of instructing and handling.

SECTION C - Coaching Skills

Section C forms the basis of the practical assessment for accreditation.

Application for Membership

To apply, complete the registration form and return with the appropriate registration fee.
You will then be sent an Educational Guidance Pack which contains modules to work through and will form the basis of your portfolio. You will also receive an Assessment of Prior Learning form to determine your membership status. Once you have completed and returned the Assessment of Prior Learning returns form, you will then receive your membership card stating your membership level, as well as a list of our current Mentors who are available to offer help and advice when working through the paperwork. Membership will be granted at one of the following grades:
Members with less than three years instructing experience and / or less than 1000 claimed points will be allocated ‘Student Member’ status.
Members with over three years instructing experience and at least 1000 provisional points will be allocated ‘Member’ status.

Fees

Registration fee: £45 hobby; £60 business
(10% discount for Kennel Club registered / GC listed organisations). Registration fee includes first year membership, initial self-assessment followed by an educational guidance pack, regular newsletters, access to the KCAI Special Interest Group (SIG) and mentoring support.

Annual membership fee: £30 hobby; £45 business
This first renewal fee will be due in the following March, calculated as a pro-rata payment of the above fee, to align all members to the March renewal date. Renewal also requires CPD information.

Accreditation Assessment fee, £60 hobby; £90 business
Payable with application for assessment when ready, includes portfolio assessment, plus a full oral and observational assessment of practical skills.

Please make cheques payable to ‘The Kennel Club’

Working with Professional Bodies

The Scheme is open for appropriate clubs, societies, institutes, organisations, colleges, associations and individuals to run or have their current courses and seminars integrated into the educational and practical aspects of the programme.

Course Providers will be required to give quality assurance to the Scheme, and appropriate portfolio guidance to scheme members. Participation on formal courses or membership of related organisations, where assessment of ‘instructing’ skills is a requirement, may be used as evidence.

The Scheme has consulted with LANTRA (national sector skills training organisation for land-based activities) and QCA (Qualification and Curriculum Authority) on ways forward to support national recognition. This will be progressed when the scheme is complete.

For further information download a welcome pack

PDF Icon KCAI Scheme welcome leaflet