RYANI Child Protection Policy

As defined in the Children’s (NI) Order 1995, for the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as a child.  The policy also applies to vulnerable adults.

It is the policy of the RYA to safeguard children and young people taking part in boating from physical, sexual or emotional harm.  The RYA will take all reasonable steps to ensure that, through appropriate procedures and training, children participating in RYA activities do so in a safe environment.  We recognise that the safety and welfare of the child is paramount and that all children, whatever their age, gender, disability, culture, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, social status or sexual identity, have a right to protection from abuse.

The RYA actively seeks to:

Create a safe and welcoming environment, both on and off the water, where children can have fun and develop their skills and confidence.

• Support and encourage recognised training centres, affiliated clubs and class associations to implement similar policies.
• Recognise that safeguarding children is the responsibility of everyone, not just those who work with children.
• Ensure that RYA-organised training and events are run to the highest possible safety standards.
• Be prepared to review its ways of working to incorporate best practice.

We will:

Treat all children with respect and celebrate their achievements.

• Carefully recruit and select all employees, contractors and volunteers.
• Respond swiftly and appropriately to all complaints and concerns about poor practice or suspected or actual child abuse.

This policy relates to all employees, contractors and volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults in the course of their RYA duties.  It will be kept under periodic review, at least once every three years.  All relevant concerns, allegations, complaints and their outcome should be notified to the RYA Child Protection Co-ordinator and RYA NI Child Protection Officer.

RYANI Child Proection Policy and Guidelines

RYA NI Child Protection Policy & Guidelines updated Jan 2012 (PDF 617KB)

Access NI 

http://www.dojni.gov.uk/accessni

For Organisations:
User Agreement between organisation and RYA using Access NI (Word 35KB)

Access NI Guidance for Organisations May 2011 (PDF 82KB)

Identity Verification Form (PDF 128KB)

Standard/Enhanced disclosure form (including ISA registration) (PDF 244KB)

Pertaining to the set up of Access NI with organisations:

Access NI Code of Practice (PDF 78KB)

Access NI Covering Letter (PDF 33KB)

Letter to NI clubs and centres May 2008 (Word 31KB)

For individuals:

Access NI Guidance for Applicants May 2011(PDF 82KB)

Standard/Enhanced disclosure form (including ISA registration) (PDF 244KB) 

Identity Verification Form (PDF 128KB) 

Resources/Templates

Sample Attendance Register (PDF 130KB)

Code of Conduct for Children and Young People (PDF 50KB)

News and Updates

The Child Protection in Sport Unit (NI pages)

Useful links

RYA Child Protection Pages

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

Northern Ireland Sports Forum

For further details on Child Protection, please contact the RYANI Child Protection Officer Cliff Burns (cliff@canoeshop.co.uk) or the RYANI Development Officer Mary Farrell 028 9038 3875/ mary.farrell@rya.org.uk