RYA Safeguarding Policies and Guidelines

Download adaptable safeguarding policies and guidelines to suit the requirements of your training centre, club or class association

Clubs are advised to ensure that they have both a Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy. These should be adopted by the club as a whole and all members should be made are aware of them.

The combined safeguarding policy is a document to assist clubs and centres with drawing up their own organisation's policies and procedures. The Guidelines include a sample club/centre policy which covers the essential points and separate template documents which can be added separately and tailored to the individual needs of the organisation. Both of these documents are updated on an annual basis and for ease of reference each of the revisions have been dated.

Many clubs also find it useful to adopt a Code of Conduct so that young participants, parents, and volunteers are clear about their responsibilities.

Social media guidance

We have also produced a downloadable Guide to Social Media with useful do’s and don’ts for clubs and centres. The guide includes links to further useful social media resources for clubs/centres, parents, and young people.

Home country specific guidance

You can find additional Home Countries specific safeguarding guidance on the following pages

The Adventure Activity Licensing

The Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) Act 1995 was introduced following the Lyme Bay canoeing tragedy, in which four young people at a commercial adventure activity centre died during a short sea canoeing expedition.

The legislation is aimed at commercial providers of outdoor adventure activities and not at private members' clubs. As a result of RYA pressure during the passage of the Bill through Parliament, bona fide non-profit making clubs providing instruction to their own members were excluded from the application of the legislation.

However, under certain circumstances when providing instruction or leadership training to young non-members, a club may need to obtain a licence from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.

Small boat training activity delivered commercially by an RYA Recognised Training Centre in accordance with the RYA’s Conditions of Recognition falls outside the scope of the 2004 Regulations and the activity provider is not required to hold an adventure activities licence.

We have produced a Guidance Note to help you determine whether your Club/Centre requires an adventure activities licence.

You can apply for an Adventure Activities License by visiting The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority website.

RYA Safeguarding Implementation Plan

The RYA Board has approved the Safeguarding Implementation Plan for 2021-2022. This is a combined plan which outlines the key priorities for the safeguarding team with regards to children and adults at risk. The Implementation Plan looks to further develop the resources and support that the RYA offers clubs and centres to help them fulfil their responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children and adults at risk taking part in their activities.