Overview
The BMABA Workforce Professional Standards and Code of Conduct (WPSCC), also referred to as the Members Charter, sets out the professional standards to which all instructors, lead instructors, assistant instructors, and volunteers operating under BMABA CIC membership are bound. By maintaining BMABA membership, individuals confirm their commitment to these standards.
The full, interactive charter can be found below;
Section 1: Professional Integrity
1a - Honesty and Transparency Members must act honestly and accurately in all representations of qualifications, experience, insurance cover, and activities.
1b - Lawful Conduct Members must comply with all applicable UK laws and regulatory requirements relevant to their role, including safeguarding, equality, health and safety, and data protection.
1c - Scope of Competence Members must operate only within their recognised qualifications, training, experience, and insured activities.
Section 2: Safeguarding First
2a - Paramount Welfare Principle The safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults must be the primary consideration in all decisions and actions.
2b - Mandatory Reporting Safeguarding concerns, allegations, or serious misconduct must be reported promptly to the appropriate authority (e.g. DSL, LADO, Police, or BMABA where applicable).
2c - Safeguarding Compliance Members must maintain up-to-date safeguarding training, documentation, and procedures in line with BMABA requirements.
Section 3: Suitability and Workforce Compliance
3a - Vetting and Training Members must maintain required safeguarding qualifications, suitability vetting (including DBS/PVG where applicable), and first aid certification.
3b - Ongoing Compliance All compliance requirements must be maintained within BMABA timeframes to ensure continued insurance validity and membership standing.
Section 4: Safe Practice and Risk Management
4a - Safe Delivery of Activity Members must ensure appropriate supervision, safety planning, and emergency arrangements are in place for all sessions and events.
4b - Medical Awareness and Return to Play Members must appropriately record and respond to medical conditions, apply concussion recognition guidance where relevant, and follow safe Return to Play procedures.
4c - Insurer Compliance and Disclosure Members must comply fully with all insurer requirements, including prompt and complete disclosure of any matter that may affect cover, risk, or liability.
Section 5: Equality, Inclusion and Fair Treatment
5a - Lawful Non-Discrimination Members must not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics.
5b - Inclusive Practice with Safety Balance Reasonable adjustments should be made where appropriate, while maintaining fairness, safety, and safeguarding responsibilities.
Section 6: Respectful Behaviour and Professional Boundaries
6a - Dignity and Respect All individuals must be treated fairly and respectfully.
6b - Professional Boundaries Appropriate professional boundaries must be maintained with students, parents, carers, colleagues, and club members, both in person and online.
6c - Digital and Social Media Conduct Online conduct, including social media and messaging platforms, must reflect professional standards and must not bring clubs or BMABA CIC into disrepute.
Section 7: Prevention of Harassment and Misconduct
7a - Zero Tolerance for Harassment Harassment, bullying, intimidation, discrimination, or inappropriate conduct is not permitted.
7b - Misuse of Status BMABA membership, club affiliation, or status must not be used to threaten, undermine, or harass others.
7c - Cooperation with Review Processes Members must cooperate fully and professionally with any investigation or review process.
Section 8: Accountability, Transparency and Governance
8a - Accuracy of Information Members must keep personal details, qualifications, and compliance information accurate and up to date.
8b - Disclosure Obligations Relevant disclosures, including safeguarding concerns, DBS/PVG matters, LADO involvement, complaints, disciplinary issues, or circumstances affecting suitability or insurance, must be handled promptly, honestly, and sensitively.
8c - Confidentiality Sensitive information must be shared only on a need-to-know basis and managed with discretion and integrity.
8d - Conflict of Interest Members must declare any actual or perceived conflict of interest that may compromise impartial judgement in safeguarding, disciplinary, financial, or governance matters.
Section 9: Reputation and Community Responsibility
9a - Upholding the Reputation of the Sector Members must act in ways that reflect positively on martial arts, boxing, their club, and BMABA CIC.
9b - Community Trust Members should build trust with participants, parents, and the wider community through responsible and ethical conduct.
Section 10: Enforcement and Binding Commitment
10a - Binding Acceptance By signing this Charter and maintaining BMABA CIC membership, individuals confirm their commitment to these standards.
10b - Proportionate Action BMABA CIC reserves the right to review and investigate alleged breaches of this Code. Where standards are not met, proportionate action may include suspension of Club Colours, restriction of services, temporary suspension of membership, or permanent removal of membership where necessary to protect participants and organisational integrity.
When Was the Charter Introduced and Why?
The BMABA Members Charter was formally introduced on 1 March 2026.
BMABA CIC introduced the Charter because the existing framework, while effective for addressing clear legal breaches, did not give BMABA a sufficient mandate to act where a member's conduct fell below the standard expected of a BMABA professional but did not technically break the law. The Charter fills that gap. It gives BMABA CIC a clear, documented basis to hold members to the higher standard that the organisation has built its reputation on within UK martial arts - and to take proportionate action where that standard is not met.
The Charter reflects a mutual commitment. BMABA's obligations to its members are set out alongside member obligations: to lead with integrity, remain politically neutral, reinvest all profits into membership, and treat every member with compassion, respect, and courtesy at all times.
How Members Are Subscribed to the Charter
Members can be subscribed to the Charter in three ways:
Opt-in before renewal. Members who were active at the time of the Charter's release on 1 March 2026 are able to opt in immediately via the Charter page at https://mybmaba.org.uk/essentials/safeguarding/charter/ - there is a button on that page to accept the Charter. This updates the member's record straight away.
Automatic subscription on renewal. From 1 March 2026, acceptance of the Charter is a required step in the membership renewal process. Members renewing at any point from that date onward will be automatically subscribed as part of completing their renewal.
Automatic subscription on sign-up. New members joining BMABA CIC from 1 March 2026 onward are subscribed to the Charter as part of the sign-up process.
Members cannot opt out of the Charter. It is a binding condition of BMABA CIC membership. A member's subscription to the Charter will remain active for as long as their membership continues.
Practical Examples for Every Clause
Member's can view the interactive charter in MyBMABA for practical examples and scenarios to help breakdown each point. You can also contact our team with any queries.