GUIDANCE FOR CLUBS

As the National Governing Body for paddlesports, Paddle UK wants to do everything it can to create a sustainable, safe and enjoyable environment for everyone who paddles or organises paddling activity. Safeguarding is an integral part of the process of protecting children and adults from harm by providing a safe space in which to paddle and be active. Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. 

In addition, those people that take part in activities led or coached by others need to know that these leaders or coaches have the skills, knowledge and experience that allows them to run safe, enjoyable and purposeful activities. We want to make sure that volunteers that coach or lead paddling activities are competent to do so and this policy outlines minimum standards required for leaders and coaches. 

Over the next two years we will be phasing in, first the safeguarding and safety standards for deployment and then the coaching and leading standards; all with the aim of continuing to ensure that every paddler has a safe and enjoyable paddling experience.

We believe that paddling clubs are the lifeblood of our sport, offering a huge range of activity and events for their members and the public. However, recent paddling accidents and reviews of safeguarding across all sports, have highlighted the duty of care clubs have to their members and the public around them.

A crucial stage of building a safer culture and environment in paddling clubs is to ensure that anyone supporting paddlesport activity is appropriately trained, qualified and competent to do so. The standards for deployment policy provides the guidance and requirements for those involved in paddlesport, ensuring that clubs understand the standards required to maintain high levels of safeguarding and safety. 

The Standards for Deployment policy covers club management, activity and events and should be seen as the foundation for affiliated clubs to build their structures on.

Paddle Northern Ireland are running information sessions for our clubs on the implementation of the Standards for Deployment. 

We would ask that at least one committee member from each club attend a session.

Click on the links below to book a place.

Wednesday 29th May 7.00PM

Monday 3rd June 7.00PM

In order to help clubs meet the additional requirements detailed in the Standards for Deployment Policy, Paddle Northern Ireland will provide the following support: 

• Webinars – initially we will run information sessions on the implementation of the Standards for Deployment, then a series of relevant webinars
• Direct Support and Advice – The Paddle Northern Ireland team will arrange 1:1 meetings with Clubs to identify club specific requirements and provide support accordingly. The team will be available throughout this process to deal with enquiries.
• Access NI - as a Registered Body Paddle Northern Ireland is authorised to send standard and enhanced checks to AccessNI for affiliated clubs. A step by step guide can be found on our website. 
• Discounted Safeguarding eLearning – Paddle Northern Ireland will offer free access to the Introduction to Safeguarding eLearning course until 18th December 2024. Click here to submit a Training Request Form.
• Discounted Risk Assessment & Risk Management eLearning – Those requiring access to this training as a result of Standards for Deployment can access it free until 18th December 2024. Click here to submit a Training Request Form.
• Discounted Event Safety Training Courses – Opportunities for discounted training will be available from Autumn 2024. 
• Club Panel - Paddle Northern Ireland will re-establish the Club Panel to facilitate communication between clubs.
• JustGo Reporting Systems - reporting tools available within justGo will support clubs to identify gaps, keep track of training and manage club roles.
• Go Paddling Clubs Dashboard - this new dashboard complements the reporting in JustGo and utilises a live feed of relevant data to provide a quick visual dashboard of Safeguarding, First Aid, Coaching CPD and more.

Anyone deployed to undertake regulated activity in many of the roles below must have an AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure check.

Click on the button below for further information on the AccessNI application process.

From December 2024 Clubs must have the following policies in place and submitted to Paddle Northern Ireland within their Club JustGo record:

• Constitution or other Governing Document
• Safeguarding Policy*
• Data Protection Policy*
• Health & Safety Policy
• Risk Assessments for Club Activity
• Code of Conduct
• Equality Policy*
• Disciplinary Policy*
• Safeguarding Adults Policy*

*or must formally adopt the Paddle Northern Ireland or Paddle UK Policy

In addition from December 2026 clubs must make the documents listed publicly available.

Club committee members are champions for safety!  They play a key role in building a positive club environment where safeguarding and high standards are at the forefront.  Committee members work together to decide how the club handles its safeguarding responsibilities. This ensures everyone - parents, members, and the wider community - feels confident and safe participating in club activities.

To support you in this important role, we encourage all committee members to complete a basic safeguarding training course.

Club Committee Members*

From December 2024 the following must be in place:

• All club committee members must be identified in JustGo as committee members (either the specific role or using the ‘Club Official’ role). 
• As a minimum, all clubs must have a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Safeguarding Officer, Club Administrator and main contact listed within JustGo.
• All Club committee members to have completed, as a minimum, the British Canoeing Awarding Body Introduction to Safeguarding training.

*Please note any club committee members who hold other roles within the club must also meet any role specific requirements.

Whilst safeguarding is a shared responsibility, Club Safeguarding Officers take a lead within the club and require a greater understanding and training around safeguarding issues and processes. This includes clubs without children, as safeguarding includes the safeguarding of adults at risk. 

By December 2024 any club without a safeguarding officer must appoint one and have them appropriately trained, including clubs with only adults.

Currently all Club Safeguarding Officers are required to have completed both

• Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport (or refresher) in the last 3 years
• Designated Safeguarding Officer Workshop (or refresher) in the last 3 years
• AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure Check

This training can be facilitated through Paddle Northern Ireland, the network of other sport governing bodies and local authorities. 

By December 2024, in addition to the training detailied above Club Safeguarding Officers are also required to complete the British Canoeing Awarding Body Code of Conduct for Coaching Workforce eLearning.

A Club Safety Officer takes the lead on safety matters within a club and has a need for a greater level of training and understanding of risk assessment and safety management. 

By December 2024 clubs are required to appoint a designated Club Safety Officer which must be identified in JustGo.

Club Safety Officers are required to complete:

• the British Canoeing Awarding Body Risk Assessment and Risk Management elearning
• Paddle UK Event Safety Management Training (and 3 year refresher thereafter)
• either the British Canoeing Awarding Body Introduction to Safeguarding eLearning or Sport NI Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport (and 3 year refresher thereafter).

These specific roles may vary between clubs but in broad terms they have a responsibility for those who are attending club trips and competitions.

By December 2024  Club trip organisers, team leaders & other similar organising roles are required to complete:

• The British Canoeing Awarding Body Introduction to Safeguarding eLearning or Sport NI Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport (and 3 year refresher thereafter) and
• The British Canoeing Awarding Body Risk Assessment and Risk Management eLearning
• Anyone deployed to undertake regulated activity must have an AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure Check

Chaperones or anyone taking direct responsibility for under 18’s or Adults at Risk.

These individuals have a responsibility for others in their care and require appropriate training to support the safety of those participants. 

By December 2024 chaperones or anyone taking direct responsibility for under 18’s or Adults at Risk are required to complete:

• Sport NI Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport (and 3 year refresher thereafter) and
• British Canoeing Awarding Body Code of Conduct for Coaching Workforce eLearning.
• Anyone deployed to undertake regulated activity must have an AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure Check

By December 2024 all paddlers providing formal instruction, coaching and leading within club activity* must:

• be deployed by the club
• be a FULL Member of Paddle Northern Ireland
• identified on the Paddle Northern Ireland JustGo by their role
• have the appropriate safeguarding training suitable for their role (Intro to Safeguarding eLearning as a minimum or if working with children Sport NI Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport 
• have completed the British Canoeing Awarding Body Code of Conduct for Coaching Workforce eLearning
• Anyone deployed to undertake regulated activity must have an AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure Check

* i.e. In this case ‘club activity’ is defined as “Any activity that has been assessed as part of the club’s safety framework and promoted on the club calendar, website or noticeboard.” 

In addition by December 2026 anyone providing formal Instruction, coaching or leading within club activity will:

• be 18 years old to deliver independently
• be deployed by the club
• hold a British Canoeing Awarding Body Qualification (or previous BCU) 
• meet the Continual Personal Development requirements by gaining 20 points over a 3-year period
• hold an appropriate First Aid Certificate in line with British Canoeing Awarding Body First Aid Policy
• have completed the British Canoeing Awarding Body Code of Conduct for Coaching Workforce eLearning 

When a club deploys a young person (under 18) as:

• a Qualified Instructor or
• Level 1 Coach or
• Stadium Raft Guide or
• Bellboat Helm to lead club activity

the following additional requirements must be met:

• have completed site or session specific training and assessment
• hold a first aid certificate
• have completed appropriate safeguarding training
• operate within a written risk assessment for the venue, environment, session and participants agreed with the deployer

Where a club organises an event designed for non-members it must have a specific event risk assessment and an event safeguarding plan. The event must be approved by the Club Committee and if required recognised by Paddle Northern Ireland. Examples of Club events could include a tour down the local river that is open to non club members, or a competitive event such as a Surf meet, or a Polo Tournament, or a recreation event such as a symposium. 

Event Volunteers - a record of all Event Volunteers and their role should be listed as part of the event plan. Depending on the role they may require safeguarding training.

Event Organisers - have a greater need for understanding and training to be able to oversee club events safely and successfully.

By December 2024 all Club Event Organisers must complete:

• the British Canoeing  Introduction to Safeguarding training or Sport NI Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport Training (and complete 3 year refresher thereafter)
• the British Canoeing Awarding Body UK Risk Assessment and Risk Management eLearning
• Paddle UK’s Event Safety Management Training (and complete 3 year refresher thereafter) 
• Anyone deployed to undertake regulated activity must have an AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure Check

Where a club organises an event designed for non-members it must have a specific event risk assessment and an event safeguarding plan. The event must be approved by the Club Committee and if required recognised by Paddle Northern Ireland. Examples of Club events could include a tour down the local river that is open to non club members, or a competitive event such as a Surf meet, or a Polo Tournament, or a recreation event such as a symposium. 

Club Event Safeguarding Officers

Are required to take a lead for safeguarding across specific events and as such have greater need for understanding and training across event safeguarding.

By December 2024 all Club Event Safeguarding Officers are required to complete:

• Sport NI Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport (or refresher) in the last 3 years
• Designated Safeguarding Officer Workshop (or refresher) in the last 3 years
• the British Canoeing Code of Conduct for Coaching Workforce eLearning
• Anyone deployed to undertake regulated activity must have an AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure Check