Safe Sport
RYA Scotland is committed to ensuring that everyone that takes part in the sport of boating should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment. We want everyone to have positive and memorable experiences on the water, knowing there is support if you need it.
Safeguarding Support
Need Help Now?
Is there someone who you feel is at immediate risk?
Need help now?
Contact Police via 999 or 112, or reach out to your local Social Work department – find local contact information online.
Do you need personal support right now?
There are a number of agencies such as Childline or Samaritans list available – head to the RYA’s What To Do If You’re Worried Page.
Do you have other concerns, perhaps about other members, instructors or coaches, or just need advice?
Please contact the RYA Safeguarding Team for advice via email or phone - 02380 012796
Participant wellbeing
Participant wellbeing in our sport is a priority. We, and our affiliated clubs, organisations and recognised training centres, should create a welcoming environment, where people can be safe, have fun and develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment
For more information and resources about good practice explore the information below where you’ll find links and additional support on wellbeing and safe sport.
Concerned? Make a referral
If you have a safeguarding or equality concern, you can make a referral directly to the RYA Safe Sport Team by completing the RYA safeguarding and Equality referral form.
We want to make sure that you enjoy taking part in sailing and boating, spending time with other sailors and developing your skills. Sailing should be fun and enjoyable. You have the right to be happy, safe and have your voice listened to. You should also feel supported, knowing there’s always someone you can turn to for help if you need it. Your club will have a trained Welfare Officer – you should get to know who this person is.
You have the right to:
- take part in sailing in a positive, fun, safe, environment free from bullying
- feel valued and protected
- be able to ask questions and be given information
- share any concerns you have with an instructor or coach
- have your voice heard and your views respected
- be yourself and not be discriminated against
If you ever feel unhappy or worried about anything, please don’t keep it to yourself.
- tell an adult you trust as soon as possible. This could be your parent or someone in your family; another member of staff at the club; a teacher or school counsellor; your doctor or school nurse.
- Speak to your club welfare officer if you are worried, concerned or scared about something, or if someone is making you or another child unhappy or upset.
- The RYA Safe Sport team is also here to listen and help. You will be listened to, taken seriously, supported, and appropriate action will be taken.
Need to talk to someone?
RYA Safeguarding Team | 02380 012796 | safeguarding@rya.org.uk
We are here to help, if you are unhappy about how you, or someone else, is being treated you can contact the RYA Safeguarding Team.
Childline | 24-hour helpline 0800 1111 | info@childline.org.uk
You can talk to Childline about anything. No problem is too big or too small.
Children First Support line | Children First | 08000 28 22 33 | supportline@childrenfirst.org.uk
Children First is Scotland’s national children’s charity
You can also contact the Safeguarding Lead Officer for RYA Scotland safeguarding@ryascotland.org.uk
Resources for young people:
We believe that parents and carers play an essential role in their child’s sporting experience. We recognise you as key in ensuring that your child has a positive, safe, and fulfilling experience on the water. Parents’ involvement can be so impactful, here are some things we encourage you to do.
Be Communicative: speak to the club or training centre instructors and volunteers so they know who your child is and what their needs are. Do they have any care or support needs, recent injuries or changes in home life situations that might be affecting them? Also, make sure that you share suitable contact and emergency contact numbers.
Be Proactive: ask the clubs or training centre Welfare officer about their safeguarding policy and procedures, and what your responsibility are as a parent.
Be Curious: stick around the club or training centre, meet people, find out more about the activities and how you might get involved.
We would ask that you also take time to read the Code of Conduct for Parents and Carers.
Welfare Officers plays a key role in promoting a safe and inclusive environment in clubs and training centres. They are encouraged to promote best practice by ensuring everyone is aware of their role and responsibilities.
The RYA Safe Sport Team supports Welfare officers with an induction when they are appointed. They are provided with a toolkit full of helpful resources, and are on hand for advice and dealing with serious concerns.
For further guidance on the Welfare Officer role and responsibilities:
Safeguarding - Club Welfare Officers | Safeguarding
Clubs and Training Centres have a duty of care to the children and young people in their club and to the volunteers and instructors supporting activity within the club.
RYA recognised training centres and clubs/organisations with junior participants (children and young people under 18) are strongly recommended to have:
- A named contact for the co-ordination of safeguarding/welfare with a role description, and who has attended recommended training
- A Safeguarding Policy which reflects national guidelines, adopted by the organisations governance team (e.g. committee) and is reviewed annually.
- A Code of Conduct for all those who work with children and young people, as well as a code of conduct for young people, parents and other officials/volunteers.
- A variety of child protection training offered at appropriate levels for those working or volunteering with children and young people in boating.
- A procedure for the recruitment and selection of those who work with children and young people, including access to PVG Scheme Membership checks.
- A procedure for responding to concerns about the welfare or abuse of a child - within or outwith sport.
- A disciplinary procedure for managing concerns and allegations of poor practice, misconduct and child abuse which includes provision for referrals to the Children's List.
- A procedure for reviewing the management of concerns about poor practice, misconduct and / or child abuse.
Some of these are requirements of RYA Affiliation for clubs. RYA can provide lots of support for clubs in these areas. Further information relating to safeguarding can be found in these FAQs.
There are lots of resources provided by RYA to help clubs with their safeguarding role and responsibilities, several which are linked below. Additionally, you can contact the RYA Scotland development team development@ryascotland.org.uk and ask to talk with your Regional Development Officer.
