child-protection

Safeguarding information and advice on child protection.

RYANI is committed to ensuring that everyone who take part in the sport should be able to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment, which promotes inclusion and protects from harm, bullying and abuse.

RYANI and RYA strongly recommends that all clubs with members or participants aged under 18 adopt a safeguarding policy and some straightforward supporting procedures, and make all members aware of them. All RYA Recognised Training Centres Offering training to under-18s are required to have a safeguarding policy and procedures in place. Clubs are advised to ensure that a safeguarding policy is adopted by the club as a whole, not just the Training Centre or the Sailability group, and that all members are aware of it.

RYA Safeguarding Children Template policy

The essential points to be covered are:

A child’s right to be safe and protected from harm
Contact details for your Welfare/Safeguarding Officer – they do not need to be an expert, but they do need to be someone children and parents will find approachable.
RYA and RYANI can provide training and support. For more information and advice Club Welfare Officers
Good practice guidelines for those volunteering or working with children
A Club Code of Conduct explaining the standards of behaviour expected of children, parents and other adults.
Policies on matters such as access to showers and changing rooms, taking and publishing images of children, etc
Clear procedures to be followed if there are concerns about a child’s welfare.

Guidance and additional resources can be found on the above on the RYA Safeguarding pages.

For further details or if you have any concerns, please contact Katie Loucaides, RYA Head of Safe Sport: safeguarding@rya.org.uk or tel: 023 80604104 or Greg Yarnall on safeguarding@rya.org tel: 02380 012796 Ext 1

Access NI

RYA acts as the umbrella body for clubs in Northern Ireland for the processing of Access NI checks. For further information contact disclosure@rya.org.uk or telephone 023 8060 4226

AccessNI Guidance

What to do if you are concerned

If you are a young person and you are worried about the way another young person or an adult is treating you or someone else, you can talk to the Welfare Officer for your club, class or training centre or at the event. Their name and contact details should be on their notice board or website.

RYA Safeguarding Team, tel. 02380 012796 Ext 1

If you would prefer to talk to someone else, you can contact these free confidential services:

Childline, tel.0800 1111, lines open 9.00 am until midnight, or www.childline.org.uk

If you are an adult with a concern about a child, contact your organisation's Welfare Officer, or:

RYA Safeguarding Team, tel. 02380 012796 Ext 1

NSPCC helpline, tel. 0808 800 5000, lines open 8.00 am - 10.00 pm Monday - Friday and 9.00 am -6.00 pm at weekends, or e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk any time, or information available at www.nspcc.org.uk

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

RYA Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy Template