U.K. Registry of Canine Behaviourists Limited

     CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION FOR UKRCB AFFILIATION

Applicants for UKRCB affiliation come from all kinds of backgrounds and experience. The ultimate goals of UKRCB affiliation are members who are fully conversant with scientific knowledge and up to date research appertaining to canine behaviour, have considerable communication skills and hands on experience with a large number of dogs. This takes time and application which is why we have structured the UKRCB criteria for affiliation to encourage education, experience and growth.

STUDENT AFFILIATES. Applicants may be accepted as Student Affiliates after they have sought out and embarked upon an approved academic course or courses culminating in a qualification of A.DipCBM (Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management) - National Qualification Framework, Level 5 or above. Those interested in student affiliation will complete a UKRCB application form, provide proof of courses enrolled upon, a detailed c.v. and enclose references from two referees with their completed application form. Applicants will usually be interviewed by the Board of Managers prior to an offer of affiliation. Student Affiliates will be invited to UKRCB educational days, receive a discounted rate to the annual UKRCB Symposium, have the opportunity of joining the UKRCB e-forum and receive the UKRCB Newsletter. The annual fee for Student Affiliation is £35. While Student affiliates are completing their academic courses, advice will be available through the UKRCB if they have not yet reached the high standard of hands on dog training and consultation criteria necessary to apply for Membership. It is expected that Student affiliates will further their in-depth practical dog training experience in parallel with their academic study.

PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP. Applicants for Provisional Membership will normally have successfully completed their A.DipCBM course or a course of equivalent or higher standard. Application will be considered upon completion of an in-depth application form, a detailed c.v. and verification of two referees. Applicants for Provisional Membership will usually be interviewed by the Board of Managers prior to offer of membership. It is expected that during their Provisional Membership they will continue advancing their dog training, counselling, history taking and observational skills, observing consultations with established behaviourists. Provisional Members will be expected to complete the UKRCB recommended reading list and fulfil the Continuing Professional Development requirements as set by the Board of Managers.

The purpose of Provisional Membership is to allow the Board of Managers to familiarise themselves with the practical work of these members. Provisional Members are closely monitored and guided by both Education Officers who review their written reports to clients which are submitted on a regular basis for feedback and discussion. Normally, Provisional Members remain at this membership level for a year during which time they submit at least six written reports and evidence of CPD. The fee for Provisional Membership is £150 per annum.

Both Education Officers, in addition to their extensive experience in the field of canine behaviour, are also Certified teachers approved by the Ministry of Education.

Any Provisional Members practising as behaviourists must carry their own professional indemnity and third party insurance. Provisional Members benefit from being invited to participate in UKRCB educational days, discounted tickets to the annual Symposium, being part of a working network of UKRCB behaviourists, access to the UKRCB website forum, and receipt of the UKRCB newsletter. The fee for Provisional Membership is £150 per annum.

FULL MEMBERSHIP is rarely offered before a minimum period as a Provisional Member. Provisional Members are only accepted as Full Members after satisfying both Education Officers of their suitability, which includes at least one consultation observed by a Board Member. Application for those not progressing from Provisional Membership is initially by an in depth written application form which is reviewed by the Board of Managers. If the experience of the applicant seems appropriate, then an interview with the Board of Managers is arranged. Applicants for Full Membership will normally have a minimum of 600 hours practical dog training experience with a variety of dogs. The applicant must have a knowledge and understanding of scientific knowledge and up to date research appertaining to canine behaviour. The successful applicant must employ kind and positive methods, evidencing a commitment to continuing education, counselling and teaching skills. Applicants for Full Membership will normally be required to hold a high academic accredited qualification such as ADipCBM, designed to be a definitive course on canine behaviour or one of equivalent standard. Candidates for Full Membership will normally be able to evidence they have had at least 100 consultations over a three year period. The annual fee for full UKRCB Membership is £50.

Full Members are entitled to join the UKRCB Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme. All Full Members must carry professional indemnity and third party insurance. Full Members benefit from a working network of UKRCB behaviourists, referral from the UKRCB website and telephone link; access to the UKRCB website forum; regular education days, discounted tickets to the Annual Symposium, regular UKRCB newsletters.

Full Members are entitled to use “ Member of the UKRCB” after their names. Use of “UKRCB“ is personal to them, must only be linked directly with the Member’s name and cannot be used by any other organisation of which that UKRCB Member is a part.

All UKRCB Affiliates are bound by the strict UKRCB Code of Practice and Constitution. Any UKRCB Affiliate will normally request clients to take their dog to their veterinary surgeon for a health check before attending a consultation and work closely with the client’s veterinary surgeon whenever necessary.

Members at all levels of UKRCB affiliation must be willing to participate in the running of the UKRCB. This will entail accepting suitable jobs in the administration of the UKRCB work from time to time. Regular attendance of educational days/Symposiums/AGM as well as proof of continuing professional development is necessary to maintain UKRCB membership.

If you feel you experience and interests are commensurate with the UKRCB Criteria for Application for Membership and you would like to apply, please write to: Robert Alleyne, UKRCB Applications Officer, 105a Ringstead Road, Catford, London SE6 2BT, enclosing your c.v. Telephone 0208 355 4836. Email: RobAlleyne@aol.com

Criteria updated October 2007