BMABA CIC recognises that many young people are passionate about martial arts and wish to play a greater role in their club beyond training. Supporting the development of assistant instructors and volunteers from within the student body can provide valuable opportunities for skills building, leadership experience, and community contribution.
However, involving under-18s in the workforce carries important safeguarding, legal, and insurance implications. As a registered child until the age of 18, a young person cannot take on the responsibilities or liabilities of an adult. Clubs therefore need to carefully manage the engagement of under-18s to ensure compliance with BMABA standards, safeguarding law, and the terms of insurance.
This guidance sets out the rules for registration, supervision, and management of under-18s in workforce roles such as assistant instructors and volunteers.
Eligibility and Official Status
Instructor Status: No one under the age of 18 may hold instructor membership with BMABA or be recognised as a full instructor.
Insurance Restrictions: Insurance policies cannot be issued in the name of an under-18. If a young person is involved in teaching activities, legal and insurance responsibility remains solely with the supervising, qualified adult instructor.
No “Official Capacity”: For the purposes of insurance and liability, under-18s are not considered to hold official responsibility on the mats. If an incident occurs during their support, the supervising instructor remains accountable. The supervising instructor must maintain suitable insurance.
Age-Based Roles
Under 14 Years Old: Cannot be registered as assistant instructors. They may contribute in informal ways (e.g., demonstrating techniques within their peer group) but cannot hold a recognised workforce role.
14–17 Years Old: May be registered with BMABA as assistant instructors or volunteers, provided that the club obtains and retains written parental consent. BMABA does not require copies of this consent, but it must be securely kept by the club and available for inspection if BMABA carries out an audit or spot check.
16–17 Years Old: May take on more active supporting roles, such as pad-holding, guiding drills, or helping younger students, but must always be risk-assessed and directly supervised. They must never be left in sole charge of a class or part of a class.
Supervision Requirements
All under-18s must be under direct supervision of a qualified, insured instructor whenever they are assisting with a class.
Assistant instructors under 18 can contribute positively to ratios, but this must be interpreted with caution. For example:
A 16-year-old brown belt assisting in a junior class may reasonably be considered extra support for the instructor.
A 14-year-old “assistant instructor” leading a class would not meet BMABA requirements and would breach terms of service.
Clubs must risk assess the involvement of under-18s and clearly record who retains safeguarding and operational responsibility (always the supervising adult).
DBS & Safeguarding Considerations
DBS Checks:
Under UK law, children under 16 are not eligible for an enhanced DBS check.
From the age of 16, if a young person is in a regulated activity (for example, assisting regularly in classes with children), an enhanced DBS check becomes applicable and should be obtained.
Safeguarding Status: Regardless of role, all under-18s remain legally children. They must therefore never be left unsupervised, nor placed in a position requiring the safeguarding oversight, authority, or legal responsibility of an adult.
Access to Systems: BMABA supports under-18 workforce members having moderated access to MyBMABA for CPD, training, and work experience. However, access should be carefully controlled, and clubs should ensure parental awareness and consent.
Responsibilities of Clubs
Clubs wishing to engage under-18s in workforce roles must:
Ensure no under-18 is ever appointed or described as a full instructor.
Obtain and securely retain written parental consent for any assistant instructor or volunteer under the age of 18.
Complete a risk assessment for the role, outlining the scope of duties and supervision measures.
Ensure direct supervision by an appropriately qualified and insured adult instructor at all times.
Apply for an enhanced DBS check from age 16 if the role involves regular, regulated activity with children.
Never allow ratios or class management structures to rely on an under-18 fulfilling an adult role.
Monitor and support the young person’s involvement, ensuring their role contributes to their development without exposing them or the club to safeguarding risks.