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Sports coach for people with mental disability

Latest update:

1. Defining the activity

The adapted sports coach supervises and implements sports and physical activities adapted to people with mental or mental disabilities in medical-social structures, mental health, child welfare and social disaffiliation. Versatile, it takes into account the characteristics and special needs of the audiences it accompanies, namely people with intellectual disabilities, psychological suffering or in situations of inadequacy.

The coach sees the activities he supervises as educational, therapeutic or social mediation materials and as vectors of autonomy for the audience he welcomes.

To go further Article 2 of the 12 July 2007 decree creating the "adapted physical and sports activities" designation of the State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education and Specialty Sport "Sports Development".

"2. Professional qualifications

a. National requirements

National legislation

Coaching activity is subject to the application of Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, which requires specific certifications, including the State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education and Sport (DEJEPS).

As a sports teacher, the coach must hold a diploma, a professional title or a certificate of qualification:

Foreign diplomas may be admitted in equivalence to French diplomas by the Minister responsible for sports, after the opinion of the Commission for the Recognition of Qualifications placed with the Minister.

To go further Articles L. 212-1 and R. 212-84 of the Code of Sport.

Training

The DEJEPS sports development labeled "adapted physical and sports activities" is classified as Level III, i.e. level bac 2.

DEJEPS is prepared through initial training, continuing education or validation of experience (VAE). For more information, you can see official website VAE.

Namely: positioning at the start of training

Prior to entry into training, the candidate must perform a "positioning." This pre-compulsory step allows each training course to be individualised contractually according to the candidate's professional project. Positioning also allows the candidate to be placed in relation to the skills of the DEJEPS to which he claims. This step is not selective: anyone who meets the training requirements will be accepted into training. The positioning takes place the year before the start of training and consists of three interviews:

  • A first one-hour interview on the candidate's file presenting his professional project, his acquired skills and a description of his experiences;
  • a second one-hour interview following the observation of educational sequences set up with children of adolescents or adults with intellectual or psychological suffering disabilities;
  • a third one-hour interview to contractually determine the individualised training course for each candidate, the training relief he or she receives and the subjects for which he or she seeks an exemption, the If necessary.

Once the positioning stage has been completed, training can begin.

Conditions for access to training leading to DEJEPS mention "adapted physical and sports activities"

The person concerned must:

  • Fill out the standard registration form with a photo ID
  • Be of age
  • Produce a certificate of first aid training (PSC1 or equivalent);
  • produce a medical certificate of non-contradictory to sport, less than three months old;
  • pass the tests for access to training;
  • meet the required pedagogical requirements: being able to assess the objective risks associated with the practice for the practitioner and the potential risks of the activity (preservation of physical and psychological integrity), mastering the behaviour and the Actions to be taken in the event of an incident or accident and to be able to assess the objective risks associated with the practice context;
  • produce the certificate, issued by the structure manager, of one-year supervision to the public concerned either in a specialized service or establishment, or in a sports association welcoming people with disabilities, either in a leisure and holiday structure;
  • produce a certificate of success at the 50-metre water course in free swimming, with a dive start and recovery, during the last 25 meters, of an object submerged at a depth of 2 meters. This certification must be established by a person holding the State Certificate of Sports Educator of Swimming Activities or a diploma conferring the title of lifeguard.

Some training organizations may require the release of other documents upon registration (such as a census certificate). For more information, it is advisable to get closer to the training organization in question.

Under certain conditions, exemptions can be obtained for certain events. For more details, it is advisable to refer to Articles 4 and 6 of the decree of 12 July 2007 mentioned above.

The training is usually done alternately. Excluding any relief, it lasts about 990 hours (540 hours in training centre and 450 hours in specialized structures).

Good to know

Individuals with the Senior State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education and Sport (DESJEPS) specialty sports performance may also practice as a sports coach. This Level II state diploma is issued by the Regional Director of Youth and Sports. To practice in the field of adapted sports, the coach will opt for the "adapted sport" designation of the JEPS DES. For more information on admission requirements and training leading to graduation, please refer to the  Ministry of Sport website .

To go further Articles D. 212-35 and following of the Code of Sport, ordered on 20 November 2006 organising the State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education and Specialty Sport "Sports Development" issued by the Ministry for Youth and Youth 12 July 2007.

Costs associated with qualification

Training at DEJEPS sports development mentioning "adapted physical and sports activities" is paid for. Its cost varies depending on the positioning at the start of training (and any relief, if any). For  more details , it is advisable to get closer to the training organization in question.

b. EU nationals: for temporary and occasional exercise (Freedom to provide services)

European Union (EU) nationalsEuropean Economic Area (EEA) legally established in one of these states may carry out the same activity in France on a temporary and occasional basis on the condition that it has sent a prior declaration of activity to the prefect of the department of the delivery.

If the activity or training leading there is not regulated in the Member State of origin or the state of the place of establishment, the national must also justify having carried out this activity for at least the equivalent of two full-time years in the in the last ten years prior to the benefit.

European nationals wishing to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must have the language skills necessary to carry out the activity in France, in particular in order to guarantee the safety of the activities and its ability to alert emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-92 to R. 212-94 of the Code of Sport.

c. EU nationals: for a permanent exercise (Freedom of establishment)

A national of an EU or EEA state may settle in France to practice permanently, if he fulfils one of the following four conditions:

*If the Member State of origin regulates access or the exercise of the activity :*

  • hold a certificate of competency or a training certificate issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state that certifies a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France;
  • be the holder of a title acquired in a third state and admitted in equivalence to an EU or EEA state and justify having carried out this activity for at least two years full-time in that state.

If the Member State of origin does not regulate access or the exercise of the activity:

  • justify having been active in an EU or EEA state, full-time for at least two years in the last ten years, or, in the case of part-time exercise, justifying an activity of equivalent duration and holding a certificate qualification issued by the competent authority of one of these states, which attests to a readiness for the exercise of the activity, as well as a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France;
  • be holder of a qualification certificate at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France, issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state and sanctioning regulated training aimed at specifically the exercise of all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, consisting of a cycle of study supplemented, if necessary, by vocational training, internship or professional practice.

If the national meets one of the four conditions mentioned above, the qualification requirement required to practise is deemed satisfied.

However, if the professional qualifications of the national differ substantially from the qualifications required in France which would not guarantee the safety of practitioners and third parties, he may be required to submit to an aptitude test or completing an adjustment course (see below "Good to know: compensation measures").

The national must have the knowledge of the French language necessary to carry out his activity in France, in particular in order to guarantee the safety of physical and sporting activities and his ability to alert the emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-88 to R. 212-90 of the Code of Sport.

Three degrees. Conditions of honorability

It is forbidden to practice as an adapted sports coach in France for persons who have been convicted of any crime or for any of the following offences:

  • torture and acts of barbarism;
  • Sexual assaults;
  • drug trafficking;
  • Endangering others;
  • pimping and the resulting offences;
  • endangering minors;
  • illicit use of substance or plant classified as narcotics or provocation to the illicit use of narcotics;
  • violations of Articles L. 235-25 to L. 235-28 of the Code of Sport;
  • as a punishment complementary to a tax offence: a temporary ban on practising, directly or by person interposed, on behalf of himself or others, any industrial, commercial or liberal profession ( Section 1750 of the General Tax Code).

In addition, no one may teach, facilitate or supervise a physical or sporting activity with minors, if he has been the subject of an administrative measure prohibiting him from participating, in any capacity, in the management and supervision of institutions and bodies subject to legislation or regulations relating to the protection of minors in a holiday and leisure centre, as well as youth groups, or if it has been the subject of an administrative measure to suspend these same functions.

To go further Article L. 212-9 of the Code of Sport.

It's a four-degree one. Reporting requirement (for the purpose of obtaining the professional sports educator card)

Anyone wishing to practice any of the professions governed by Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport must declare his activity to the prefect of the department of the place where he intends to practice as principal. This declaration triggers the obtaining of a business card.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

Competent authority

The declaration should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or Departmental Directorate for Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP) of the practice department or the main exercise, or directly in line on the  official website .

Time

Within one month of filing the declaration file, the prefecture sends an acknowledgement to the registrant. The business card, valid for five years, is then addressed to the registrant.

Supporting documents

The supporting documents to be provided are:

  • Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • A photo ID
  • A statement on the honour attesting to the accuracy of the information in the form;
  • A copy of each of the diplomas, titles, certificates invoked;
  • A copy of the authorization to practice, or, if necessary, the equivalency of the diploma;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

If you have a return renewal, you should contact:

  • Form Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of the valid review certificate for qualifications subject to the recycling requirement;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

In addition, in all cases, the prefecture will itself request the release of an extract of less than three months from the registrant's criminal record to verify that there is no disability or prohibition of practice.

Cost

Free.

To go further Articles L. 212-11, R. 212-85 and A. 212-176 to A. 212-178 of the Code of Sport.

Five degrees. Qualifications process and formalities

a. Make a prior declaration of activity for EU nationals engaged in temporary and occasional activity (LPS)

EU or EEA nationals legally established in one of these states who wish to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must make a prior declaration of activity before the first provision of services.

If the claimant wishes to make a new benefit in France, this prior declaration must be renewed.

In order to avoid serious damage to the safety of the beneficiaries, the prefect may, during the first benefit, carry out a preliminary check of the claimant's professional qualifications.

Competent authority

The prior declaration of activity should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP) of the department where the declarer wants to perform his performance.

Time

Within one month of receiving the declaration file, the prefect notifies the claimant:

  • or a request for further information (in this case, the prefect has two months to give his answer);
  • or a receipt for a service delivery statement if it does not conduct a qualifications check. In this case, service delivery may begin;
  • or that it is conducting the qualifications check. In this case, the prefect then issues the claimant a receipt allowing him to start his performance or, if the verification of the qualifications reveals substantial differences with the professional qualifications required in France, the prefect submits the claimant to an aptitude test (see infra "Good to know: compensation measures").

In all cases, in the absence of a response within the aforementioned deadlines, the claimant is deemed to be legally active in France.

Supporting documents

The activity pre-report file must include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-3 of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of an ID
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or training title;
  • A copy of the documents attesting that the registrant is legally established in the Member State of the institution and that he does not incur any prohibition, even temporary, from practising (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • in the event that neither the activity nor the training leading to this activity is regulated in the Establishment Member State, a copy of any documents justifying that the registrant has carried out this activity in that State for at least the equivalent of two years full time over the past ten years (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • a copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France.

Costs

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-92 and following, A. 212-182-2 and subsequent articles and Appendix II-12-3 of the Code of Sport.

b. Make a pre-declaration of activity for EU nationals for a permanent exercise (LE)

Any EU or EEA national qualified to carry out all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, and wishing to settle in France, must make a statement to the prefect of the department in which he intends exercise as a principal.

This declaration allows the registrant to obtain a professional card and thus to practice legally in France under the same conditions as French nationals.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

In the event of a substantial difference from the qualification required in France, the prefect may refer the qualifications recognition committee to the Minister for Sport for advice. They may also decide to subject the national to an aptitude test or an accommodation course (see below: "Good to know: compensation measures").

Competent authority

The declaration should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP).

Time

The prefect's decision to issue the business card comes within three months of the submission of the full file by the registrant. This period may be extended by one month on a reasoned decision. If the prefect decides not to issue the professional card or to subject the declarant to a compensation measure (fitness test or internship), his decision must be motivated.

Supporting documents for the first declaration of activity

The activity report file should include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-2-a of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old (translated by a certified translator);
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or training title, accompanied by documents describing the training course (program, hourly volume, nature and duration of internships carried out), translated into French by a certified translator;
  • If so, a copy of any evidence justifying work experience (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • If the training document has been obtained in a third state, copies of the documents attesting that the title has been admitted as an equivalency in an EU or EEA state that regulates the activity;
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • A copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France,
    • documents attesting that the registrant was not the subject of any of the convictions or measures referred to in Articles L. 212-9 and L. 212-13 of the Code of Sport (translated into French by a certified translator) in the Member State of origin.

Evidence for a renewal of activity declaration

The activity renewal file must include:

  • A copy of the return renewal form, modeled on Schedule II-12-2-b of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old.

Cost

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-88 to R. 212-91, A. 212-182 and Schedules II-12-2-a and II-12-b of the Code of Sport.

Good to know: compensation measures

If there is a substantial difference between the qualification of the applicant and that required in France to carry out the same activity, the prefect refers the commission for recognition of qualifications, placed with the Minister in charge of sports. This commission, after reviewing and investigating the file, issues, within the month of its referral, a notice which it sends to the prefect.

In its opinion, the commission can:

  • believe that there is indeed a substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France. In this case, the commission proposes to subject the registrant to an aptitude test or an adjustment course. It defines the nature and precise modalities of these compensation measures (the nature of the tests, the terms of their organisation and evaluation, the period of organisation, the content and duration of the internship, the types of structures that can accommodate the trainee, etc.) ;
  • that there is no substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France.

Upon receipt of the commission's opinion, the prefect notifies the registrant of his reasoned decision (he is not obliged to follow the commission's advice):

  • If the registrant requires compensation, he or she has one month to choose between the aptitude test and the accommodation course. The prefect then issues a business card to the registrant who has complied with the compensation measures. On the other hand, if the course or the aptitude test is not satisfactory, the prefect notifies his reasoned decision to refuse to issue the professional card to the person concerned;
  • if he does not require compensation, the prefect issues a business card to the person concerned.

To go further Articles R. 212-84 and D. 212-84-1 of the Code of Sport.

c. Remedies

French assistance centre

The ENIC-NARIC Centre is the French centre for information on academic and professional recognition of diplomas.

Solvit

SOLVIT is a service provided by the National Administration of each Member State of the European Union or party to the EEA agreement. Its aim is to find a solution to a dispute between an EU national and the administration of another of these states. SOLVIT intervenes in particular in the recognition of professional qualifications.

Conditions

The person concerned can only use SOLVIT if he establishes:

  • that the public administration of one EU state has not respected its rights under EU law as a citizen or business of another EU state;
  • and that he has not already initiated legal action (administrative action is not considered as such).
Procedure

The national must complete a  online complaint form .

Once his file has been submitted, SOLVIT contacts him within a week to request, if necessary, additional information and to verify that the problem is within his competence.

Supporting documents

To enter SOLVIT, the national must communicate:

  • Full contact details
  • Detailed description of his problem
  • all the evidence in the file (for example, correspondence and decisions received from the relevant administrative authority).
Time

SOLVIT is committed to finding a solution within ten weeks of the day the case was taken over by the SOLVIT centre in the country in which the problem occurred.

Cost

Free.

Outcome of the procedure

At the end of the 10-week period, SOLVIT presents a solution:

  • If this solution resolves the dispute over the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed;
  • if there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
More information

SOLVIT in France: General Secretariat for European Affairs, 68 rue de Bellechasse, 75700 Paris ( official website ).