Please read our Terms & Conditions of Membership Inclusive of our Legal Policy in conjunction with this policy.
BMABA Disciplinary Process & Complaints Policy
Overview
The British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA CIC) is a community interest company committed to safeguarding, professional standards, and public trust. As part of our wider role within the sector, we have a responsibility to investigate concerns raised about members, clubs, or instructors that may impact on compliance, safeguarding, public safety, or professional standards.
Complaints or concerns may arise from members of the public, other instructors, parents, or external organisations. These may relate to safeguarding, professional standards, compliance issues, poor practice, or inappropriate conduct — either online or in public.
We do not assume any guilt when opening an investigation. Whether a standard (Category B) or safeguarding (Category A) enquiry, our process is impartial and fair. All investigations are opened to ensure we meet our duty of care and our legal obligations.
Investigation Categories
Category A – Safeguarding Concerns
These are serious concerns that raise potential safeguarding issues, including allegations of:
Abuse or harm to children or vulnerable adults
Grooming, exploitation, or inappropriate conduct
Failure to protect a student from foreseeable risk
We are legally and ethically obligated to escalate Category A concerns to relevant authorities:
Police: Where immediate risk or potential criminality is present.
LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): For any allegation against someone in a position of trust involving children.
MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub): Where there is a broader safeguarding or family-based concern.
Depending on the nature of the allegation, we may not be able to share details with the instructor or club during the investigation. We must follow any direction from competent authorities such as Police, LADO, MASH, DBS, or other statutory bodies.
It is not for BMABA CIC to determine if a case meets the threshold for criminal prosecution — our role is to follow national safeguarding protocols and to take proportionate risk mitigation action. This may include the temporary suspension of a licence or membership to protect the public, pending further instruction.
Please see:
Category B – Compliance & Standards Concerns
These concerns do not meet the threshold for safeguarding referral but still merit investigation. This may include:
Non-disclosure of criminal history
Missing or expired qualifications (e.g. safeguarding, first aid)
Poor professional standards or public conduct
Business ethics concerns
BMABA CIC takes these issues very seriously, and a robust investigation will follow.
Our first action will be an account audit (standard enquiry). This includes:
Reviewing the instructor or club’s IVY Risk Management Score
Verifying account history, supporting documents, and compliance logs
Checking whether adequate vetting information has been supplied
If we do not hold sufficient evidence, we will issue a formal request for all outstanding documentation, with a 28-day deadline to respond. This may include club policies, safeguarding records, DBS checks, insurance, etc.
Once a club or instructor has responded, we will assess the complaint in full. They will always be given a chance to respond in writing, but must do so within 14 days.
Where additional clarification is needed, we may extend this timeframe and request further information.
Please note:
Identities of complainants may not be shared to protect anonymity.
You must not attempt to contact any individual you suspect has raised a concern.
Investigations, Outcomes & Disciplinary Action
We will always prioritise the safety of students and uphold safeguarding as our core principle. Where a formal complaint is raised, we are legally required to report it through the appropriate channels.
Where no external statutory referral is necessary, we will always seek a constructive and proportionate resolution, such as:
Providing feedback to the instructor or club
Ensuring the complainant is assured the matter has been reviewed
Offering guidance or support to improve standards
Where there is no case to answer, we will find in the instructor’s or club’s favour.
For full details, see: Membership Suspensions, Terminations & Investigations
Outcomes
GREEN CARD – No Case To Answer
No breach or fault is found. The club or instructor is cleared, with no impact to their record.
YELLOW CARD – Warning Issued
A formal warning issued for part or full fault. Up to 2 yellow cards permitted in a 14-month period. Further issues may escalate to a red card. Yellow cards may be issued for:
Poor practice
Ethical concerns
Lapsed compliance (e.g., expired DBS, insurance)
When a yellow card is issued, we will provide a monitoring and improvement schedule, which will outline any necessary re-checks, re-training or onward progression required. This could include, for example, re-sitting a safeguarding qualification, undertaking a coaching award, ensuring future vetting status remains upheld, and so on.
RED CARD – Dismissal
A serious finding (usually safeguarding-related, or involving gross misconduct). The instructor and/or club is immediately dismissed, with all membership and insurance cancelled. No refunds apply. Clubs employing or associated with the dismissed party may be reviewed separately to determine accountability for onward membership however they shall typically be terminated along with the lead account holder or club entity.
Right To Review & Appeal
All clubs and instructors (excluding Category A – safeguarding dismissals) have a right to appeal any decision within 28 days of the verdict.
To appeal:
Submit your appeal in writing
Clearly state why you believe the outcome was incorrect
Provide any additional evidence you feel was overlooked
Appeals are reviewed by BMABA’s executive committee or BMABA Senior Management Team; whichever is most appropriate. If no unanimous verdict can be reached, the matter will be escalated to the CEO, who may seek external legal counsel.
If the RED CARD is issued in response to a Category A concern, there is no appeals process as the decision will have been made by another competent authority and not internally within BMABA.
Please see our policy on LADO Investigations, Responses & Actions and Membership Suspensions, Terminations, And Investigations as this will help you to remain informed on the process and possible outcomes.
IMPORTANT READING