In 2024 we moved away from publishing our national safeguarding policy in PDF format instead opting for this live document format, which allows our safeguarding unit and our customer service team to easily retrieve references, makes it easier for members of the public to find relevant guidance, and allows our AI to scan the policy and answer instructor queries too.

If you have any questions around our national safeguarding policy, please contact us at [email protected].

Over the past decade, British Martial Arts & Boxing Association has arguably done more than most to champion the provision of robust Safeguarding in Martial Arts. We’ve fiercely worked to introduce national policies, to upskill instructor and volunteer workforces with training. We’ve completed thousands of enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service Checks, promoted the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts (SCiMA) and launched a flagship Club Colours' Programme for schools of excellence.

Whilst we’re disappointed so many other peer organisations in our sector have failed to adequately safeguard their members in the interests of commercial gains, we remain determined to build on our successes and to ensure Safeguarding continues to enjoy as much resource, staffing and investment as it requires.

Safeguarding is everybody’s concern. Nobody is above it and nobody may excuse themselves from the obligations it imposes on us all. Associations, officials, instructors, volunteers, parents – we all play a crucial role.

We’ve designed our national safeguarding policy to be transparent and comprehensive. It should offer a detailed look at best practice, poor practice, our reporting processes, obligations by each category of member and how we will respond if we are concerned about the welfare of a child or adults at risk.

I encourage you, whatever your stake in martial arts, to familiarise yourself with this document in its entirely, to ask questions where you are unsure and to scrutinise the suitability of our measures if you feel they are not sufficient.

Together we will continue to make martial arts safer for those who love it as dearly as we do.

Giovanni Soffietto

Chief Executive Officer

Throughout our safeguarding policy we may use certain terminology which is not always universal outside of the BMABA. To ensure everyone is fully aware of what or who we’re referencing, please refer to the below terminology;
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Us, We, Our, Including Association or Foundation
​This refers to our organisation collectively. For clarity, this is both British Martial Arts & Boxing Association and BMABA, both of which refer to the same legal entity; BMABA Limited, Reg. 10676965. For this reason, this safeguarding policy is universally applied across all areas of our operations to ensure consistency. The term Foundation refers to the association’s charitable arm and either both incorporates our sister Foundation (Fighting Chance NGO CIC) or any charitable activities undertaken directly by BMABA itself.
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Instructors, Coaches, Senseis, Staff also including the terms Registered Club
This refers to any registered instructor under our organisation. This may be a Sensei, Coach, Instructor or a Club as an entity in it’s own right – be it an unincorporated association or a legally registered business or charity.

Leader

This refers to anybody that is in a position of authority within a club. This will typically be a lead instructor but could also include a business owner. It does not relate to anybody working within BMABA Limited as a staff or committee member.
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​Club(s)
​Refers to the collective group of instructor(s) and associated staff, volunteers or involved parties at a ‘local’ (see definition) level. This includes unincorporated groups and limited entities. All clubs shall be assumed to have a lead instructor, whom is ultimately responsible for management of the group.
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Participant and Student
​This is a collective term used for any person actively participating in training within a registered club.
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​Parent and Carer
​Refers to any parent or carer of a participant under the age of 18 within a BMABA registered club.
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​Young Person(s), Child(ren)
This refers to any person under the age of 18.
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​Adults at risk and Vulnerable Adult
Refers to anybody legally classed as being an adult at risk of harm or exploitation. Under the Care Act 2014 in England, an "adult at risk" (sometimes referred to as a "vulnerable adult") can be more specifically defined as someone who:

Vulnerable Groups
​Refers to any of the above two groups as a collective, where referring more generally to safeguarding objectives, management or best practice.
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​Member refers to anyone holding active BMABA registration or membership – inclusive of both instructing staff and participants.
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Locally
Is a term used to describe matters of management, best practice and safeguarding at a club level (i.e: decisions and actions taken by the club and not the association)
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​Nationally
Is a term used to describe matters of management, best practice and safeguarding at a national, association-wide level (i.e: decisions and actions taken by the association and/or Foundation and not the individual clubs)

We firmly believe that martial arts training presents a positive opportunity for everybody to learn self defence, improve self confidence and develop as an individual. Every participant is entitled to do so in a safe and properly managed environment under the guidance of leaders who have their best interest at heart and are suitably qualified and trained to deliver on this core mission. Accordingly, everyone involved in the delivery of martial arts has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure that, when given responsibility for young persons or adults at risk, the highest standards of professionalism and care are exercised at all times. This same principle applies more broadly to all participants, including adults outside of the definition of ‘at risk’.

The Association is committed to implementing policies so that everyone within the chain of command accept their responsibilities to safeguard children and / or Adults at risk from harm and abuse. This means following pre-decided procedures when working with, supervising or teaching vulnerable groups and reporting any concerns about their welfare to appropriate authorities without delay.

The aim of this policy is to promote best practice, providing vulnerable groups within any club registered under our Association the appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of a BMABA registered leader. It is also to allow our members (instructors, coaches, senseis and associated supervising members) the opportunity to remain informed and confident on their obligations and requirements in relation to the safeguarding of children and / or Adults at risk.

Whilst the association takes all possible steps to safeguard and protect the welfare of vulnerable groups within the club or care of a registered or affiliated member, as the association has no legal or compulsory jurisdiction in relation to the club’s operation, and as the association has no legal ownership or control over the recruitment of teaching staff or the club’s operations, the ultimate responsibility for safeguarding must remain with the club. The individual club and lead instructor are expected to comply with all of our safeguarding policies but must also take their own necessary steps to ensure they safeguard vulnerable groups effectively at local club level, including the completion of a safeguarding qualification and the implementation of a safeguarding policy specific to their club. Every club must have a qualified and clearly designated safeguarding lead (also referred to as a welfare officer or by our definition - DSL) who takes ultimate responsibility for policy and training within the club.

This shall be considered a condition of membership without exception and any member found not to be doing so shall be liable to expulsion from the association, in line with our association guidelines and legal terms and conditions.

Key Considerations

· A child/young person is defined as a person under the age of 18 (Children’s Act 1989)
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· Whilst the ultimate responsibility for safeguarding at club level must rest with the club’s lead instructor / safeguarding lead, safeguarding is not specific to just coaches. Volunteers, staff and other adults within the club should be aware of their safeguarding obligations without question, and should know how to report concerns they may have
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· Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s a matter that must be addressed with the gravity and seriousness it deserves
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· If there is any uncertainty interpreting our National Safeguarding Policy the Lead Instructor / Safeguarding Officer should make contact with our head office without delay, where free and impartial advice shall be offered

Our organisation is committed to the following in respect of safeguarding vulnerable groups and will expect individual member(s) and club(s) affiliated with us to maintain the following priorities in relation to safeguarding at all times;
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The implementation of procedures within the club should be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure up to date best practice. This is the responsibility of the club and/or the safeguarding lead and is a condition of membership. The club’s designated welfare officer should regularly report progress, challenges, difficulties, achievement gaps and areas where changes are required to the club’s committee or the associated management board.

As an association and foundation, we shall ensure national safeguarding policies and procedures are monitored and reviewed to make sure they are up to date and fit for purpose. The association’s chief executive team and/or lead welfare officer will regularly report back to the committee and wider membership base on progress, challenges, difficulties, achievement gaps and areas where changes are required to better manage our own procedures and processes.

Policies, both locally and nationally, must be reviewed at minimum every 2 years or whenever there is a major change in the organisation or relevant legislation.

It will remain the responsibility of the club to keep abreast of any changes in law, legislation or structure, however the association agrees to do what it can to encourage best practice, including it’s goals of ensuring affordable, up to date safeguarding training is readily available.

In order to provide vulnerable groups with the best possible experience and opportunities within martial arts, boxing, combat and self defence training everyone must operate within the accepted ethical framework as set out in the association’s charter, association’s guidelines and the instructor’s code of conduct agreement.

As it is often not easy to distinguish poor practice from abuse it will not be a responsibility of the club and/or lead instructor (or equivalent) to make a judgement about whether or not abuse is taking place. It is, however, their responsibility to identify poor practice and possible abuse and act if there are concerns, regardless of how minor, in relation to the welfare of a vulnerable person as explained in this document.

The Association shall, on a national basis, do all that is reasonably possible to promote best practice by way of guidelines, articles and support to its members. As the association has no legal or compulsory jurisdiction over the affiliated club, and as the association has no legal or regulatory control over the clubs operations and / or structure it may not be reasonable to expect the Association to be able to readily identify instances of poor practice unless concerns are brought forward by other affiliated or non-affiliated members however we shall endeavour to do so through our national records database, community intelligence, mystery student and other safeguarding measures. Therefore, it is paramount the club has solid safeguarding procedures in place, including club rules and guidelines to ensure everyone is clear on their expectations and responsibilities.
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The association shall be expected to introduce reasonable checks and balances to encourage and promote best practice, and to raise the alarm where-ever it suspects an instructor or club to be failing to take their safeguarding obligations seriously.

All registered members shall adhere to the below principles and action in relation to best practice with regards to safeguarding children and / or Adults at risk;

Accordingly, the association shall engage the following best practice principles and actions with regards to children and / or Adults at risk safeguarding measures;

The following (which is not exhaustive) shall be considered poor practice in relation to the safeguarding of children and / or Adults at risk, and any registered member must avoid without exception;

The following shall be regarding as poor practice in respect of safeguarding children and / or Adults at risk by the association and/or any of it’s committee;

Where it is deemed there may be a complaint or safeguarding query relating to any club and/or registered member (or associated instructor or equivalent) the association shall be obliged to launch an investigation, guidelines of which will be provided separately in the Association’s complaints and investigations policy.

Where the association does not have immediate concerns relating to the safeguarding of children and / or Adults at risk within the club or instruction of any of it’s registered member(s), on the basis that the association has no legal or compulsory right or jurisdiction and / or control over the mentioned club, the Association may discharge from it’s membership the club and expel the registered member(s) without delay or remuneration.

For this reason, the Association and Foundation wishes to stress that whilst the Association shall do all possible to avoid poor practice in relation to safeguarding standards within BMABA registered clubs, it must ultimately be the responsibility of the lead instructor and/or club welfare officer to maintain best practice, rather than the association.
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If during the care of the club anyone should accidentally hurt a child or Adults at risk or / and the child or Adults at risk seems distressed in any manner and /or appears to be sexually aroused by the instructor or adults actions and/or if the child or Adults at risk misunderstands or misinterprets something done by the instructor or associated staff member, the incident must be reported without delay and written copies kept. Parents and / or guardians (as appropriate) must also be informed without delay.

It is essential to take all reasonable steps to prevent unsuitable people from working with children or Adults at risk. This applies equally and without prejudice to all persons, regardless of position, voluntary or paid status or background. This is the lead instructor’s responsibility at all times.

To prevent unsuitable persons from working with children the club / instructor (or equivalent) MUST;

Whilst it is not reasonable for the Association to ensure that all persons working in direct or indirect contact with children or Adults at risk within any given member club are suitable, because the Association is not a legal or compulsory authority and has no jurisdiction or control over the club, the club or instructor (or equivalent) has the ability to ensure this at a local level and therefore it is a mandated requirement under Safer Recruitment Guidelines.

It is therefore deemed to be the ultimate responsibility and duty of the club at a local level to ensure that only suitable persons may be allowed access to work or supervise children or Adults at risk. The club or lead instructor (or equivalent) must therefore ensure they are suitable and safe for their purpose based upon their own local safeguarding policy.

The Association, although without any ultimate control or responsibility, will do the following to try and prevent any unsuitable person from coming into contact with a child or Adults at risk;

As the Association has no legal or compulsory jurisdiction or control over the operation of any of its members or their club, it must remain the instructor’s or club’s responsibility to ensure safeguarding procedures are in place on a local level.

The Association shall do all that is reasonably possible to aid instructors and members in fulfilling their safeguarding duties, however the ultimate responsibility and duty of care to protect members and raise concerns must remain at a local level where instruction, training or contact is taking place.

In line with Association guidelines, the Association Charter and the Association’s legal policy, terms and conditions, membership to the Association and any form of interaction, certification or affiliation is hereby binding the named club, individual, instructor or entity to follow in full this safeguarding policy.

Clubs must enforce a local safeguarding policy and that must be considered in line with the Association’s national safeguarding policy.

Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. It commonly occurs within a relationship of trust or responsibility and is an abuse of power or a breach of trust. Abuse can happen to a child or Adults at risk regardless of their age, gender, race or ability.

There are five main types of abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying / harassment and neglect. The abuser may be a family member or someone the child or Adults at risk encounters in residential care or in the community, including sports and leisure activities. Any individual may abuse or neglect a child or Adults at risk directly. They may also be responsible for abuse because they fail to prevent another person harming a vulnerable person.

Abuse in all of its forms can affect a child or Adults at risk at any age. The effects can be so damaging that if not treated, it may follow the individual into adulthood.

Vulnerable Persons with disabilities may be at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation and a powerlessness to protect themselves or adequately communicate that abuse had occurred.

It is not the role of a club or member to identify what form of abuse is taking place, but it is the responsibility of every member of society to raise concerns – however small – with authorities and via relevant channels.

• Physical Abuse: where adults physically hurt or injure a child or Adults at risk e.g. hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, biting, scalding, suffocating, drowning. Giving a child or Adults at risk alcohol or inappropriate drugs may also constitute abuse.

This category of abuse can also include when a parent/carer reports non-existent symptoms or illness deliberately causes ill health in a child or Adults at risk person they are looking after. This is call Munchauser’s syndrome by proxy.

In a sports situation, physical abuse may occur when the nature and intensity of training disregard the capacity of the child or Adults at risk’s body.

• Emotional Abuse: the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child or Adults at risk, likely to cause severe and lasting adverse effects on the child or Adults at risk’s emotional development or health. It may involve telling a child or Adults at risk they are useless, worthless, unloved, inadequate or valued in terms of only meeting the needs of another person. It may feature expectations of a child or Adults at risk that are not appropriate to their age, development or ability. It may cause a child or Adults at risk to be frightened or in danger by being constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted which may make the young person frightened or withdrawn.

Ill treatment of a child or Adults at risk, whatever form it takes, will always feature a degree of emotional abuse.

Emotional abuse in sport may occur when the child or Adults at risk is constantly criticised, given negative feedback, expected to perform at levels that are above their capability. Other forms of emotional abuse could take the form of name calling and bullying, which has been categorised as another form of abuse but for all intents and purposes will have some form of emotional abuse attached.

• Bullying & Harassment may come from another young person or an adult. Bullying is defined as deliberate hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. There are three main types of bullying.

It may be physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, slapping), verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, name calling, graffiti, threats, abusive text messages), emotional (e.g. tormenting, ridiculing, humiliating, ignoring, isolating form the group), or sexual (e.g. unwanted physical contact or abusive comments).

In sport bullying may arise when a parent or coach pushes the child or Adults at risk too hard to succeed, or a rival athlete or official uses bullying behaviour.

• Neglect occurs when an adult fails to meet the child or Adults at risk’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, to an extent that is likely to result in serious impairment of the child or Adults at risk’s health or development. For example, failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect from physical harm or danger, or failing to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

Refusal to give love, affection and attention can also be a form of neglect.

Neglect in sport could occur when a coach does not keep the child or Adults at risk safe, or exposing them to undue cold/heat or unnecessary risk of injury.

• Sexual Abuse occurs when adults (male and female) use children or Adults at risk to meet their own sexual needs. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse and fondling. Showing a child or Adults at risk pornography or talking to them in a sexually explicit manner are also forms of sexual abuse.

In sport, activities which might involve physical contact with a child or Adults at risk could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. Also the power of the coach over a child or Adults at risk athlete, if misused, may lead to abusive situations developing.

Even for those experienced in working with abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. Most people are not experts in such recognition and nor should they be expected to be, but indications that a child or Adults at risk is being abused may include one or more of the following;

Signs of bullying include:

It must be recognised that the above list is not exhaustive, but also that the presence of one or more of the indications is not proof that abuse is taking place.

All persons are also reminded that given the nature of martial arts and combat sports – especially combat sports in which physical contact, often of an increased physical nature to that of other non-contact sports, may give rise to certain injuries by way of it’s very nature.

No person should disregard any signs of abuse to simply be a result of any martial art or combat styles ‘rough and tumble’ nature. Instead they must act with due diligence to such an assumption being used by any perpetrator.

There is evidence that some people have used sporting events, inter club events or normal ‘day to day’ training as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of children and/or Adults at risk. All clubs and instructors (or equivalents) should be vigilant and any concerns should be reported to the Club welfare officer.

All parents and martial artists should be made aware when coaches use video equipment as a coaching aid or by way of any advertising / marketing material with consent provided in advance.

Clubs must ensure parents and any other volunteers viewing or interacting with classes and participants are aware of the club’s photographic and videography policies.

The association shall not permit the use of any photographic or videographic material on its website or within publications unless confirmation of consent has been explicitly given by the club in relation to its own responsibilities to maintain safeguarding standards in line with their own safeguarding policy.

It is not the responsibility of any person within the club, be that in a paid or unpaid capacity, to decide whether or not child abuse or the abuse of a Adults at risk has taken place. However, there is a responsibility to act on any concerns through contact with the appropriate authorities so that they can then make inquiries and take necessary action to protect the child and/or Adults at risk. This applies BOTH to allegations/suspicions of abuse occurring within any club or lesson and to allegations/suspicions that abuse is taking place elsewhere, even if completely removed from the martial arts setting.

Instructors and volunteers may become aware of abuse in various ways. The instructor (or equivalent) may see it happening, may suspect it because of symptoms or signs (such as those previously listed) or it may be reported to the instructor by the child / adult, or another third party.

Especially in the case that a child or Adults at risk might directly confide to any form of abuse the club must take immediate steps to safeguard that person effectively.

If a child or Adults at risk indicates that they are being abused, the instructor to whom the disclosure is made should;

To ensure that information is as accurate and helpful as possible in any subsequent police or local authority investigation, clubs and the association will be required to keep detailed documentation relating to any disclosure or suspicion.

It is for this reason that a compulsory membership regulation is in place ensuring that written copies must be made at the soonest opportunity post disclosure. The instructor or other person to whom the disclosure was made must be confined to facts and distinguish as clearly as possible what is the instructor’s personal knowledge and what is that of other people.

No opinions should be included. Information should include (but not necessarily be limited to) the following;

As part of the association’s safeguarding policy, the above records shall also be kept, where appropriate or possible, in relation to any concerns raised directly to the body.

All suspicions and allegations MUST be reported appropriately and without delay. Although it must be up to the individual club / instructor to distinguish what course of action is appropriate in each instance in their own safeguarding policy, it is recognised by the association that misplaced loyalty to a fellow martial artists or colleague may cause strong emotional conflicts.

The Association expects all registered or affiliated members and committee members to discuss any concerns they may have for the welfare of a child or Adults at risk immediately with the person in charge of safeguarding ‘locally’ within the club or school, and to check that appropriate action has been taken. Where any individual is not satisfied with the course of action or response at a local level, or where any allegation concerns the local club’s safeguarding officer, the individual should immediately and without delay escalate their concerns to the Association’s safeguarding and welfare officer.

If this advice can not be followed for any reason, the individual should take responsibility for reporting and seek advice from the NSPCC helpline, the duty officer at the local social services department or the police. Telephone numbers can be found in the local directory or online.

Where there is a complaint against an instructor or member of any club, there may be three types of investigation;

As previously referenced, the instructor (or equivalent) nor the association are child protection experts and it is neither’s responsibility to determine whether or not abuse has taken place. All suspicions and allegations must be shared with professional agencies that are responsible for child protection so that qualified persons external to the circumstance being reported can make an informed assessment.

Social services have a legal responsibility under The Children Act 1989 to investigate all child protection referrals by talking to the child and family (where appropriate), gathering information from other people who know the child and making inquiries jointly with the police.

Any suspicion that a child or Adults at risk has been abused by an instructor or a volunteer should be reported to the club’s safeguarding officer who will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the child or Adults at risk in question and any other child or Adults at risk who may be at risk. This may different depending on individual club policy, however the association recommends that at minimum the following be considered;

Allegations of abuse are sometimes made sometime after the event. Where such allegation is made, the instructor or club should follow the same procedures and have the matter reported to social services with just as much urgency. This is because other children or Adults at risk in the sport or outside it may be at risk from the alleged abuser. Anyone who has a previous conviction for offences related to abuse against children is automatically excluded from working with children or Adults at risk.

All members have a responsibility to remain vigilant in all areas of their professional or personal lives for signs of abuse. Where any concerns may be noted outside of the immediate teaching environment or gym, the following is recommended as a minimum course of action but may also be accompanied by additional ‘local’ club safeguarding guidelines if appropriate;

It is important that all information is only ever discussed or shared on a need-to-know basis. The instructor or club has a duty to ensure confidentiality, as does the association. Information should only be shared where absolutely required, or under the guidance of the police or other relevant authority.

Where a disclosure is made to the association, even if this is only a request for information or guidance, there are certain circumstances in which the association will be legally bound to report this onto a relevant authority.

Confidentiality and the integrity of information communicated electronically should also be considered, including the use of case numbers, initials or locked documents to ensure information is not disclosed to parties outside of the chain of command in error

It is deemed to be the clubs responsibility to ensure that the following is properly addressed within their local safeguarding policy;

• Whether or not the accused should be temporarily suspended pending further police or social services investigations. Clubs can and should ask the police or relevant authorities for guidance on this.

• Irrespective of the findings of the police or social service, the club shall have an obligation to report such incidents to the Association’s safeguarding officer or management team for review of conduct and, if required, disciplinary proceedings. The outcome of such an investigation shall be handled as per the below guidance from the Association.

• Whilst the club or instructor may have their own internal guidance as per their local safeguarding policy procedure, ultimate disciplinary outcomes shall be overruled by the association. Whilst it is recognised that the association has no legal or compulsory authority or jurisdiction over the club and it’s members, where there is conflicting disciplinary advice and no medium can be found, or the association deems there to be an on-going risk of future incidents, they may take the action to expel without delay or remuneration, the club (and any associated members of that club) and if required, make a necessary report to any local authority for further observation.

Irrespective of the findings of the police or social services, the Association will make the following decisions and processes in relation to any suspected or reported breach of safeguarding protocol;

• The association shall ensure the safety of the child or Adults at risk is paramount and will take any such action that is reasonably possible to prohibit the accused from having any opportunity to have further contact with any other children or Adults at risk.

• Where police or social services do not press charges, the association may not automatically discount the possibility of abuse having taken place and must reach a decision by mutual agreement of the committee by majority, whereby atleast 65% of the committee or executive team must debate and agree, that it is more likely than not that the allegation is true or that the incident was not properly handled by the club or it’s safeguarding officer at a local level. The association shall have the final ruling on such a matter and may take any action, including expulsion with justification, delay or remuneration in such a situation.

As it is recognised that the Association does not have any compulsory or legal control over any club or member, it may only act in a way that is in keeping with its duties to protect other members of the Association and the representation it holds, so that it may continue to provide support to reputable members and clubs.

In such an instance the Association may discharge a member or club without notice, delay or remuneration to inhibit any further opportunity for potential unprofessional conduct or safeguarding concerns. Where this happens, the association must take a view as to whether or not it deems there to be sufficient evidence to further raise concerns with relevant authorities after expulsion.

As the Association has no legal governance of the instructor or club, aside from expulsion it may only report to local authorities, any expelled member where it feels there is reasonable suggestion that malpractice or safeguarding offences have occurred.

It is the Association’s role to always try and provide as much impartial and easy to digest safeguarding guidance to clubs and instructors, however a member’s lack of knowledge on the subject will not be an excusable defence in the event of disciplinary action occurring.

Clubs and members whom wish to make a safeguarding disclosure, or wish to obtain any additional guidance and information on how to effectively safeguard at club level are welcome to contact the association’s executive team and committee directly at any time.

It is worth checking – especially in the instance of making a disclosure – that this information remains up to date.

You can find the latest contact details for our association’s team from bmaba.org.uk.

KEY CONTACTS

Chief Executive Officer & On-Duty DSL
​Giovanni Soffietto
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Deputy Safeguarding Contact & Strategic Operations Lead
​Aimee Little

Duty Deputy For Safeguarding

Cathie Hewlett
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For Safeguarding Disclosures and concerns: [email protected]

Safeguarding can seem like a sometimes over the top and perhaps overwhelming topic but it is essential, and there are no exceptions; you must take this seriously. You are both expected and held to compulsory obligation to ensure safeguarding at club level is effectively managed.

This includes ensuring;

· That our national safeguarding policy is administered and respected

· That you hold an appropriate Safeguarding Qualification

· That you have an appropriate Enhanced DBS Check, Including Barring Checks

· That your club has a full safeguarding policy & statement in place

· That you have rules and regulations on medical disclosures, conduct, safeguarding and the hiring/vetting of staff and volunteers

· That you follow any other BMABA regulation or guideline around best practice and safeguarding in martial arts

What the association is keen to stress is that we are here to help, not hinder. Our legal duty to escalate safeguarding concerns notwithstanding, where a club or instructor approaches us for guidance, advice or help getting everything together, our door will always be open.

We actively encourage proactive approaches to safeguarding. Please do not feel you can’t pick up the phone, drop us an e-mail or start a conversation in our instructor’s forum. There’s never a silly question when it comes to safeguarding, and you can be sure it’s been asked or thought about by another club or instructor too.

Don’t take chance and don’t be lazy; safeguarding is not only about prevent harm to a vulnerable person, it’s also a key part of your professional competency and will help to protect you and your club from unfounded allegations.
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Safeguarding is the primary role and concern of the lead instructor and club, but that doesn’t exclude you as a parent or carer from playing an active role in keeping vulnerable people safe.

We would fully recommend studying this safeguarding policy – especially the sections from what abuse is through to identifying abuse, and how to report concerns – to ensure you are equipped to deal with any concerns you may spot.

Your club’s safeguarding officer or lead instructor should take any questions or concerns you raise seriously.

If you feel they are not doing so, or if the concern is regarding the club or lead instructor specifically, you can escalate questions and queries to us directly and in complete confidence.

Please contact our office via e-mail on [email protected]. This is a secure inbox that is only monitored by the Safeguarding Lead and the Deputy Safeguarding lead. Your disclosure will not be disclosed to any other staff, executives, committee members or instructors. We respond to all safeguarding e-mails immediately during working hours.

Remember to trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to escalate concerns without delay to the relevant authorities.

As a martial arts participant you absolutely have the right to train in a club that is safe and friendly, free of abuse and bullying. The association through which your club is affiliated has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of bullying or safeguarding neglect, and we will take action to keep you safe.

If you are under the age of 18, we would recommend raising any concerns with your parent or carer whom can raise the matter on your behalf.

If you do need to reach out to us for advice or guidance, or if you wish to make a complaint about your club or instructor, please e-mail us on [email protected].

Please DO NOT use Facebook Messenger for safeguarding disclosures as this is a channel of communication monitored by numerous employees throughout the Association and Foundation.