Paddle UK has today launched a new policy to support volunteers and paid employees to follow an agreed set of standards, to create a safer culture and environment within paddlesport.
The Standards for Deployment Policy has been developed with colleagues from Paddle Scotland, Paddle Northern Ireland and Canoe Wales to support and guide affiliated clubs and national association committees to have the required training and qualifications in place for their volunteer workforce.
The scope of the policy covers a variety of roles including, committee members, volunteers, formal instructing, coaching, leading, and those organising and supervising events and trips.
There will be a phased approach for the policy to ensure volunteers in clubs and disciplines fully are supported, this will include:
- Free training opportunities in safeguarding, risk assessing, event safety and gaining a coaching and leadership award if appropriate to the role
- Continual support provided by the club and discipline teams, leading you through the content of the policy and how it works for you
- For Paddle England affiliated clubs, the Club Coaching and Leadership bursary will be available in April 2024 for those roles that may require in gaining a qualification or award. Paddle Scotland, Paddle Northern Ireland and Canoe Wales also have a range of support available to support clubs
- It is recognised that there is significant experience and knowledge within clubs and disciplines and as such training for awards and continual professional development can take place within the club settings
- Certified and current coaches and leaders are recognised as able to make appropriate professional judgement, and use informed decisions on the suitable environment and craft taking into account your own skills, experience and knowledge as well as those being coached/led
- For commercial operators of paddlesport activity there is a specific deployment document. It will be deemed as good practice for anyone that offers paddlesport activity, either voluntary or paid to adhere to the appropriate standards
- For affiliated Delivery Partners there is a specific document within their dashboard area to support them to meet the Delivery Partner Charter which is aligned to the Standards for Deployment Policy
The Standards for Deployment Policy is in line with our safety strategy, #SaferTogether, published in October 2023, which sets out our vision for safer paddlesport and the actions required to achieve this
It is also part of a wider movement across sporting organisations, led by CIMSPA, to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, welfare, complaints handling, education, governance and oversight are in place, key requirements of the Whyte Review published in 2022 to ensure sport is safer
This new policy is a crucial stage of building a safer culture and environment within paddlesport to ensure that anyone supporting paddlesport activity is appropriately trained, qualified, and competent to do so
Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA said:
“CIMSPA is continuing to develop and drive a UK-wide sport and physical activity sector that provides the highest standards of service delivery, and safeguarding is absolutely key to this.
“The development of the Workforce Governance project is to ensure systems, policies and procedures are in place to support positive outcomes for all staff, coaches, volunteers, and participants.
“We continue to have a strong relationship with Paddle UK, which includes supporting them in setting out their Standards for Deployment and giving their clubs the knowledge and skills they need to undertake their work safely and effectively.”
The Standards for Deployment Policy, alongisde further support and guidance, available on our new Standards for Deployment website.
Each national association has prepared detailed guidance documents to support clubs, discipline committees and event organisers, which can also be found on the website.