Safeguarding

A Core Commitment of the Yoga Fellowship of Northern Ireland

Safeguarding is something YFNI cares about deeply. As the Governing Body for Yoga in Northern Ireland, we are committed to promoting safeguarding awareness across the entire yoga community.

  • All YFNI Committee members undertake safeguarding training.

  • Our Safeguarding Lead has completed additional training as a Designated Safeguarding Officer.

  • All teaching members are required to familiarise themselves with—and formally accept—our safeguarding policies as a condition of membership.

  • Teaching members are also encouraged to undertake safeguarding training as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

  • Those working with children and adults at risk must complete safeguarding training and obtain Enhanced AccessNI checks.

Beyond formal checks and training, all teaching members must remain acutely aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and take these obligations seriously as part of their daily practice.

Our safeguarding policies are designed to ensure the welfare and protection of any child or adult at risk who attends yoga classes or accesses services provided by YFNI-qualified teachers. These policies are essential to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all.

All Yoga Fellowship Teaching Members have a duty to adhere to the safeguarding policies and procedures outlined in the documents below. Members must familiarise themselves with this content and formally agree to the policies at the point of registration for membership.

Required Safeguarding Documents:

All safeguarding queries should be directed to Mary O’Rawe, Yoga Fellowship Safeguarding Lead, via email: safeguarding@yogafellowshipni.org

Safeguarding Questions or Concerns?

If you have any concerns relating to the safeguarding of any individual or group, please share these with Mary (Yoga Fellowship Safeguarding Lead) or other relevant authorities.

In cases where there is an imminent risk of significant harm, you may contact one of the following directly:

  • PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland)

  • Women’s Aid

  • NSPCC

  • Gateway Team

You do not need to have proof that something untoward has happened. It is not your responsibility to investigate. Your role is to ensure that the relevant authorities have as full a picture as possible of any concerns or worries you may have regarding a particular child or adult at risk.

Even information reported to you second- or third-hand could be significant. The key is to act promptly and share what you know.

One of the challenges in safeguarding is that people often do not come forward because they feel their evidence is not strong enough.


But if everyone thinks that way, important pieces of the safeguarding puzzle may be missing.

The information you hold might be the critical piece that prompts further welfare inquiries.

Remember: You are not claiming the information is true or necessarily evidence of abuse or mistreatment—only that it may be relevant to the protection of someone vulnerable or at risk.

All Members and Other Yoga Teachers

Yoga teachers who are members of other yoga organisations are warmly encouraged to join the Yoga Fellowship, helping to strengthen our community of practice and support the promotion of high standards in safeguarding across all yoga provision.

All Yoga Fellowship members are welcome to consult our policy documents for information and guidance on safeguarding responsibilities and best practices.

It is essential to recognise that safeguarding is a matter for all of society.

Together, we can foster a safer, more inclusive yoga environment for everyone.

Online Safety for YFNI Teaching Members

When teaching yoga classes online—whether via Zoom or another platform—we remind you to use the platform's built-in security features to ensure the safety of both yourself and your students. This includes:

  • Enabling password protection for classes

  • Activating the waiting room feature to control access

Most importantly, never share your class ID or password publicly, including on Facebook or any other social media platform.

Keep your Zoom class information private, and share it only with your registered class members.

Please also ensure that you do not teach online unless you are confident you can do so safely, and have conducted an appropriate risk assessment.

Your professionalism helps protect everyone and supports a safe and inclusive online yoga environment.

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