Paddle UK’s Standards For Deployment policy supports volunteers and paid employees to follow an agreed set of standards, to create a safer culture and environment within paddlesport.
It 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.
Below you can find the Standards For Deployment policy and a dedicated commercial providers version, supporting documents, and further training opportunities. At the base of the page you can find our Standards For Deployment FAQs.
- For Paddle Scotland specific Standards For Deployment information please go to the page linked here.
- For Canoe Wales specific Standards For Deployment information please go to the page linked here.
- For Paddle NI Standards For Deployment information please visit the website linked here.
Standards For Deployment Policies
Please find below the general Standards For Deployment policy and the commercial providers policy.
- Standards For Deployment Policy1.87 MBApril 21, 2024This policy provides the standards for deployment required for delivering paddling activity within all affiliated Clubs, National Association events, and activities. If you are a commercial provider please see the Commercial Provider Standards For Deployment Policy
- Standards For Deployment Policy For Commercial Providers408.04 KBApril 21, 2024This document contains the Standards of Deployment Policy For Commercial Providers, and seeks to help foster a safer culture and environment in commercial paddlesport providers.
Supporting Documents
In this section you will find documents to support meeting the Standards for Deployment.
- Standards For Deployment Summary of Roles447.47 KBApril 21, 2024This document contains a summary of roles and the requirements for these roles for regulated activity.
- Standards For Deployment Glossary and Useful Links490.94 KBApril 21, 2024This document contains a glossary and useful links to be used in conjunction with the Standards For Deployment policy.
- Environmental Definitions1.08 MBJanuary 4, 2023The Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders document provides guidance and environmental definitions that can be applied when choosing paddlesport activity.
- G21 Safeguarding Training Requirements124.17 KBJuly 4, 2021This document outlines minimum requirements for safeguarding training for specific roles.
In addition to the minimum requirements further training is available which may be beneficial to those
supporting or facilitating paddlesport activity.
Safer Recruitment
The two-hour, 6-module, Safer Recruitment eLearning is for employers or deployers, providing services to children and/or Adults at Risk. Safer Recruitment is a set of essential practices to ensure paid staff, contractors and volunteers joining your organisation are suitable to work with vulnerable groups. Access the Safer Recruitment eLearning here .
Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Everyone should be able to access and enjoy paddling regardless of their identity, background or circumstances. This Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion eLearning is for anyone wanting to make a positive change and make their paddling environment more inclusive. It includes ideas, tools and resources to help you. Access the Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion eLearning here .
Risk Management and Risk assessment
This one-hour, three-module British Canoeing Awarding Body eLearning is a great resource for instructors, coaches, leaders, providers, deployers and activity providers who are looking to further develop an understanding of the responsibilities of managing risk, as well as identifying risk and writing risk assessments. Access the Risk Management and Risk assessment eLearning here .
Manual Handling
This 45-minute, single-module British Canoeing Awarding Body eLearning is for all paddlers who are new to the topic of manual handling. It covers different paddlesport manual handling situations, a model for considering and managing risk, and steps to take to better protect our bodies. Access the Manual Handling eLearning here .
Equipment Management and Safety
Designed for paddlers wanting to improve their equipment management knowledge, the 3-module Equipment Management and Safety eLearning takes around an hour to complete. For those offering paddlesport activity it's essential to understand how good practice contributes to safety, helps maintain the life expectancy of equipment, and the legal requirements of equipment management. Access the Equipment Management and Safety eLearning here .
Assessing Competence in the Paddlesport Environment
Focusing on the assessing process, as well as the standardisation of assessment across awards and qualifications, this eLearning is great for both new assessors and those with experience considering their current practice. The 6-module Assessing Competence in the Paddlesport Environment eLearning takes around two and a half hours to complete. Access the Assessing Competence in the Paddlesport Environment eLearning here .
Tutoring Within the Paddlesport Environment
The Tutoring in the Paddlesport Environment (TPE) eLearning focuses on providing high quality tutoring in different settings, aligned to the British Canoeing Awarding Body educational philosophy. It's full of useful information to help both new and experienced tutors consider and develop their current practice. The eLearning takes around two hours to complete, and we would encourage reflection between the activities. Access the Tutoring Within the Paddlesport Environment eLearning here .