We hear quite often the question asked;

“I’m registered with the Martial Arts Safeguarding Code. Do I still need to undertake a safeguarding qualification?”

The short answer is yes!

The Safeguarding Code is a Sport England initiative aimed at creating a benchmark for independently run martial arts clubs when it comes to Safeguarding. It doesn’t provide safeguarding training or qualifications, but rather it addresses current safeguarding measures at club level to issue ‘The Mark’. A Safeguarding Qualification on the other hand looks specifically at the signs and responses to concerns around abuse and helps instructors understand how to fulfil their legal role as an instructor in charge of young people or adults at risk.

The Safeguarding Code usually requires that you hold a Safeguarding Qualification in order to achieve the Mark. As an association, BMABA works very closely with the Safeguarding Code and we also hold organisational sign-off on this scheme so we fully support their work.

The requirement to complete or validate a safeguarding qualification should not be confused with the optional requirement to register with SCiMA (Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts).