Conditions of IfL membership

PART A: Introduction

1. Preliminary

The conditions of membership exist to provide members with an overview of how their individual relationship with the Institute for Learning (IfL) works.

The conditions of membership are provided for under policies approved from time to time by the elected Non-Executive Board. The conditions of membership are reviewed regularly and this version brings into one place a number of conditions previously published in separate documents. These conditions come into effect on the 1 April 2012 for the membership period through to 31 March 2013.

Companions, Affiliates, Associates, Members and Fellows, referred to throughout the conditions of membership as ‘members’, are members of IfL, the professional body for teachers and trainers and not members as defined by the Companies Act unless otherwise elected to IfL’s Advisory Council.

2. Eligibility

IfL is an inclusive professional membership body for teachers, trainers, tutors and other professionals in teaching and learning roles (referred to throughout the conditions of membership as ‘teachers and trainers’), who may be Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates of IfL. Others who are not professional teachers or trainers but who have an active interest in teaching and training may be Companions of IfL. Members are awarded membership grades based upon their teaching and learning qualifications.  Those who are working towards the award of a teaching or training qualification or who have an interest in the sector are welcome to participate as Affiliates or Companions.

Membership of IfL satisfies the requirement of the Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development and Registration (England) Regulations 2007 and the requirement set out by the Skills Funding Agency for teachers and trainers working in these environments to register with the Institute for Learning within six months of commencing employment in a further education college or other learning provider and to maintain that registration continuously thereafter.

3. Data protection

IfL is committed to comply with the Data Protection Act 1997 and our Data Code, Privacy Policy and a guide to the ways in which we process and hold data about members is available on our website.

IfL makes certain information available to employers and other persons with a legitimate interest in its membership. This is in accordance with the Data Protection Act and our Privacy Policy as previously outlined. IfL will not give or sell individual member data to any third party, with the exception of providing de-personalised demographic data to analysts, researchers or other third parties.

4. Data security when using IfL’s online resources

IfL recognises the importance of membership data and its website and other online resources comply with industry standard security levels. Members should take all reasonable steps to ensure that log in details are secure and passwords are protected. Members should take extra precautions when accessing their account in a public space or on a shared computer to protect personal information.

5. Communications from IfL

Members may opt in or out of most communications from IfL at any time during membership.

For members covered by the Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development and Registration (England) Regulations 2007 and the Further Education Teachers’ Qualifications (England) Regulations 2007 or working in provision funded by the Skills Funding Agency, there are  some notices which are mandatory.


 

PART B: Membership

6. Information provided

It is important that members provide accurate information at all times, especially during initial registration and subsequent renewal of membership.  Any misleading information may be regarded as a breach of the Code of Professional Practice.  IfL may refuse or delay registration or renewal if it needs to clarify information provided.

7. Membership grades

There are five grades of membership:

  • Fellow (FIfL)
  • Member (MIfL)
  • Associate (AIfL)
  • Affiliate
  • Companion

The membership grade criteria are based upon the award of teaching and training qualifications. See Membership Grades 
 

8. Maintaining your membership record

Members should take all practicable steps to keep membership records accurate and up to date including contact details, teaching and training qualifications, details of subjects taught and employment details.  This enables IfL to keep members informed and to provide the best service to members, for example relating to developments in teaching or training in their subject or vocational area.

You can add or amend details at any time through My Pages.

9. Payment of membership fees

Fees for the 2012-13 membership period are due on  1 April 2012 and failure to pay will result in loss of benefits and services. Payment can be made online using a debit or credit card, by cheque or direct debit.

Membership fees must be paid within six weeks of initial registration or renewal.

10. Renewing membership

The membership period for 2012-13 commences 1 April 2012. Membership is due for renewal on or by 1 April 2012, it is not dependent on the date an individual member first registered.

Membership renewal is not automatic but is subject to:

  • Receipt of payment for the annual membership fee within six weeks of the date of renewal or confirmation that this will be met by a third party (employer);
  • Confirmation of remaining in good professional standing through the declaration of CPD (excluding Companions);
  • A commitment to abide by the Code of Professional Practice and any conditions that may be in place for individual members at the time of renewal.

Members will be invited to renew membership at least six weeks before the due date and will be contacted via email with guidance on how to complete the process. Members are advised to have payment details to hand when renewing membership.

11. Resignation and lapsing of membership

Members who resign or who allow their membership to lapse are able to resume membership. Members who resume membership after resigning or allowing membership to lapse will be subject to the criteria in place at the time of re-joining including membership grades and any conditions for the resumption of QTLS or ATLS status.

(a) Resignation

Any member can resign from membership by contacting the Membership Team by email at enquiries@ifl.ac.uk or by letter to:
 
Membership Team
Institute for Learning
49-51 East Road
London
N1 6AH 

(See box below)

IfL is under no obligation to refund any membership fee in the event of a member resigning from membership. Further information on refunds is outlined in IfL’s refund policy.

(b) Lapsing

Members who have not renewed their membership by 1 April 2012 will be sent at least one electronic and one postal reminder. If a member has not renewed their membership by the 31 May 2012 their membership status will automatically change to ‘lapsed’.

Membership of IfL satisfies the requirement of the Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development and Registration (England) Regulations 2007 and the requirement set out bythe Skills Funding Agency for teachers and trainers working in these environments to register with the Institute for Learning within six months of commencing employment in a further education college or other learning provider and to maintain that registration continuouslythereafter. Members who resign or who allow their membership to lapse will no longer be satisfying this requirement.

(c) Members with Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) status

QTLS and ATLS status is conferred by the IfL on successful completion of professional formation. Holding QTLS or ATLS status is conditional on members remaining in good professional standing through the declaration of CPD to IfL each year and adherence to the Code of Professional Practice. These conditions are met through IfL membership.

(d) Reinstatement

Members who resign may reinstate their membership if the conditions in section 10 (above) are met. Members who resign and wish to reinstate their membership in a subsequent membership period may do so, subject to the membership conditions in place at the point of re-registration being met.

(e) Reinstatement – Members with Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) status

For members who reinstate their membership within a three year period of resignation or lapsing will need to follow the process outlined in 11(d).

For members who reinstate their membership after a continuous three year period of resignation or lapsing would be required to follow the reinstatement process which includes submission of a professional development plan.

12. Membership cards and certificates

Membership cards and certificates remain property of IfL and should not be used improperly. They are not intended as a means of identification. They do not give the bearer any authority to act or speak on behalf of IfL. Should a member leave membership for any reason IfL expects any membership card or certificate to be returned as soon as possible.