Standards for Deployment - Helping keep everyone in Paddlesport safe
Overview:
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 UK, Paddle England, 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 instructors, coaches, leaders and those organising and supervising events and trips.
This page outlines further details on the requirements, timescales and support available. Please read the information below based on your setting.
Further details about why we need a Standards for Deployment Policy can be found in our
news release.

Clubs
Guidance for Clubs
This guidance document applies to Paddle Scotland Affiliated Clubs and should be read alongside the other guidance documents and support.
Support Available
- Webinars - as part of our regular series of club webinars, we will discuss the implementation of Standards for Deployment and the support available.
- Club Committee Hub on Brightspace - this existing resource is being expanded to provide additional tools and information for clubs. Access here.
- Direct support and advice upon request - The Development Manager team at Paddle Scotland are happy to arrange 1:1 discussions with clubs to identify club specific requirements and plan accordingly. Contact hello@paddlescotland.org.uk and we will be in touch.
- PVG processing - Paddle Scotland continues to process hundreds of PVGs on behalf of affiliated clubs and support the transition to the new PVG system by April 2025. Find out more.
- Reporting systems in JustGo - the existing reporting tools available in JustGo will support clubs to identify any gaps, keep track of training and manage the roles of members. Further details are available on the live webinars and in the Club Committee Hub.
- GoPaddling Clubs dashboard to quickly view status - this new dashboard will complement the reporting in JustGo and utilises a live feed from the JustGo data to provide a quick visual dashboard of safeguarding, first aid, Coaching CPD and more.
- Free / Discounted Safeguarding courses - Paddle Scotland will offer free access to the introductory eLearning until 1st August and discounted options on live CWPS Safeguarding courses - Link to form to request discount code.
- Discounted Risk Assessment and Risk Management Training - Those requiring access to this training as a result of Standards for Deployment can access it free until 1st August. Link to form to request discount code.
- Discounted Event Safety Training courses - Dates to follow. Note your interest here.
- Discounted Provider / Tutor recruitment within clubs - More to follow
- Connection Opportunities - Paddle Scotland Development Managers will facilitate connections between clubs.
- Subsidised safety and leadership courses - Utilising the additional capacity in the staff team, Paddle Scotland plans to coordinate a range of training and assessments for volunteers in clubs. This will be coordinated on a needs based approach following a conversation with a Paddle Scotland staff member.
- Subsidised Instructor and Coach Award training and assessments - As part of the existing and long running subsidy programme there are opportunities for clubs to apply for funds to support those working towards these qualifications. Find out more.
Description title
From December 2024, Clubs are required to have the following policies confirmed in the credentials section of the Club JustGo profile. In some cases, the club committee can simply adopt the Paddle Scotland policy.
- Constitution or other governing document
- Safeguarding Policy*
- Data Protection Policy*
- Referrals Policy (Safeguarding)*
- Health and Safety Policy
- Risk Assessment for club activity
- Code of Conduct
- Equality Policy*
- Disciplinary Policy
- Safeguarding Adults Policy**
Access the templates from the Club Committee Hub in Brightspace.
We also have role descriptions available for most of the defined roles.
** Paddle Scotland policy coming soon
Discipline Development Groups and Event Organising Groups
Guidance Document
This guidance applies to the Paddle Scotland Discipline Development Groups and Event Organising Groups.
Support Available
- Webinars - we're hosting a specific session for members of Discipline Development Groups and Event Organising Groups on 10th June at 1930. Book on here.
- Direct support and advice upon request - Each group/event has an allocated staff member to liaise with and they will have discussions about Standards for Deployment implementation in the coming months.
- PVG processing - Paddle Scotland continue to process PVGs on behalf of Discipline Development Groups and Event Organising Groups and support the transition to the new PVG system by April 2025. Find out more.
- Centralised Reporting - As Discipline Development Groups and Event Organising Groups are more integrated with Paddle Scotland, we will carry out the central monitoring to support compliance in due course.
- Free / Discounted Safeguarding courses - Paddle Scotland will offer free access to the introductory eLearning until 7th August and free options on live CWPS Safeguarding courses - Link to form to request discount code.
- Discounted Risk Assessment and Risk Management Training - Those requiring access to this training as a result of Standards for Deployment can access it free until 7th August. Link to form to request discount code.
- Free Event Safety Training courses - Dates to follow. Note your interest here.
Delivery Partners and Commercial Paddlesport Operators
Policy Document
This policy document applies to all commercial paddlesport providers, including Delivery Partners.
Support for Delivery Partners
- Direct support and advice upon request - Your Paddle Scotland Delivery Partner Account Manager (Adam Burns) and the wider staff team can provide advice and guidance to support your compliance with the Standards for Deployment. Contact hello@paddlescotland.org.uk and we will be in touch.
- Delivery Partner Dashboard to quickly view status - the live Delivery Partner dashboard provides excellent tools to quickly view the status of your staff.
