1. Introduction
The British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA) is committed to promoting equality, inclusivity, and safeguarding within all aspects of its operations and within all of its affiliated clubs. This SEN policy outlines our dedication to ensuring that all individuals, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are welcomed, supported, and treated fairly across all affiliated clubs, events, and activities.
2. Equality and Inclusivity
BMABA is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their background, ability, or needs, is respected and valued. This commitment applies to all individuals, including students, coaches, volunteers, and staff. Per our national equality and inclusivity policy, in respect of SEN, we are committed to enforcing;
Equal access to training, competitions, and events for all, including reasonable adjustments to accommodate SEND individuals.
No discrimination on the grounds of disability, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
Encouragement of diverse representation within our team, coaches, and club members.
Promotion of inclusivity within club culture, encouraging respect, empathy, and understanding for those with differing needs and backgrounds.
3. Special Educational Needs (SEN) Commitment
BMABA recognises that individuals with SEN may require specific accommodations to fully participate in martial arts training. As such, we aim to support our instructors and clubs to:
Provide a welcoming environment where the needs of SEND participants are recognised and supported.
Ensure that all clubs and instructors are trained to recognise and meet the needs of individuals with SEN.
Make reasonable adjustments to facilities, instruction methods, and equipment to ensure inclusivity wherever possible.
Regularly review SEN provisions to adapt to changing needs and best practices.
4. Health and Safety
BMABA places paramount importance on the health and safety of all participants, particularly those with additional needs. Our health and safety procedures are robust and registered clubs are expected to uphold these standards, including:
Risk assessments that consider the needs of SEND participants, ensuring that potential hazards are identified and mitigated.
Emergency plans that account for the additional support that SEND participants may require in the event of an incident.
Ensuring that coaches and staff are trained in first aid and emergency response, particularly in handling SEND-specific medical conditions or mobility concerns.
The provision of accessible facilities, including ramps, adapted changing rooms, and appropriate equipment for those with mobility challenges.
5. Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a core principle within BMABA, with particular attention given to those with SEND, who may be more vulnerable to abuse or neglect. Our safeguarding policy includes:
Mandatory safeguarding training for all instructors, coaches, volunteers, and staff, with a specific focus on recognising and supporting the needs of SEND individuals.
A robust reporting system for safeguarding concerns, with clearly outlined procedures to ensure concerns are addressed swiftly and appropriately.
Clear guidelines on physical contact and communication, ensuring that SEND participants feel safe and respected during training.
The appointment of dedicated safeguarding officers within clubs to ensure continuous oversight and support.
6. Training and Development
To uphold our commitment to equality and SEN, BMABA will:
Provide training on SEN inclusivity and best practices for instructors, coaches, and volunteers free of charge.
Offer SEN-specific courses as part of continuing professional development for all club staff, covering universal principles and 'deep-diving' into specific and complex areas of study too.
Encourage the development of club SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators) who will act as a point of contact and specialist within their club.
Ensure that SEN awareness is embedded in all levels of our coaching qualifications and progression.
7. Complaints and Feedback
BMABA takes all feedback and complaints seriously, particularly where concerns relate to equality, inclusivity, health and safety, or safeguarding. Our complaints process ensures:
Clear and accessible avenues for raising concerns, complaints, or feedback, including for those with communication or cognitive challenges.
A transparent and thorough investigation process, with support for individuals making complaints related to SEN issues.
A commitment to learning from feedback and making necessary adjustments to policies, training, or procedures to ensure the continuous improvement of inclusivity.
Protection from victimisation or reprisal for individuals who raise complaints or provide feedback on SEN-related matters.
8. Monitoring and Review
To ensure that BMABA remains at the forefront of inclusive practice within martial arts, we will:
Regularly review our SEN policy and associated procedures, ensuring they reflect current legislation, best practice, and the evolving needs of our members.
Collect and analyse feedback from participants, parents, guardians, and coaches to identify areas for improvement.
Monitor the participation and progress of SEND individuals to ensure that barriers to participation are continuously addressed and removed.
9. Responsibilities
The responsibility for implementing this policy lies with all members of BMABA, including the organisation itself, club management, coaches, volunteers, and participants. Specific roles include:
BMABA National Body: Overseeing the implementation of the policy and ensuring compliance across all clubs, including robust verification of SENCO status at club and individual instructor level.
Club Management: Ensuring that the club environment, practices, and procedures adhere to this policy, and that staff are suitably trained and understanding of BMABA's policy.
Instructors and Coaches: Recognising and accommodating the needs of SEND participants, making reasonable adjustments, and creating an inclusive learning environment.
SEND Participants and Their Families: Providing feedback on their experiences to help BMABA continually improve its inclusivity and SEN provision, so our clubs and instructors can improve SEND provisions throughout UK martial arts.
10. Best Practice for SEN Provisions
BMABA is committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability or additional needs, can access high-quality martial arts training. The following best practices guide instructors in delivering inclusive training environments for individuals with special educational needs (SEN) while maintaining a balance between reasonable adjustments and available resources.
Individualised Approach:
Instructors are encouraged to adopt a personalised approach to each student with SEN, understanding that no two individuals will have the same needs or abilities. Best practice involves:Conducting a thorough assessment of the student’s abilities and challenges through open dialogue with the individual, their guardians, or support workers.
Developing a tailored training plan that adapts to the student’s pace, learning style, and physical abilities.
Regularly reviewing the plan and making adjustments based on the student’s progress and feedback.
Inclusive Training Methods:
Instructors should use diverse teaching strategies to accommodate different learning needs and preferences. Best practice includes:Visual Cues: Incorporating visual demonstrations and aids can assist students with communication challenges, including those with autism or learning disabilities.
Verbal Guidance: Providing clear, concise instructions that avoid unnecessary complexity is essential for individuals with cognitive or processing difficulties.
Physical Assistance: Offering modified exercises or drills that account for a student’s mobility challenges, ensuring they can participate at their own level while still feeling part of the group.
Collaborative Support:
Instructors should work closely with support staff, carers, or family members to ensure they have the most accurate understanding of the student's needs. Collaboration may include:Inviting support staff or carers to provide insights into effective communication methods or physical adjustments.
Regularly consulting with guardians or professionals involved in the student’s education or care to ensure martial arts training complements other areas of their development.
11. Fair Assessment of SEN Provisions Based on Reasonable Adjustments and Available Resources
BMABA acknowledges that while inclusivity is a priority, instructors and clubs must make fair assessments of SEN provisions that balance reasonable adjustments with the available resources. Instructors are encouraged to use the following guidelines:
Reasonable Adjustments:
Reasonable adjustments are changes made to accommodate the needs of an individual with SEN, enabling them to participate in martial arts training on equal terms with their peers. When making such assessments, instructors should consider:Practicality: Adjustments should be practical and sustainable, such as offering additional support during specific exercises, changing training routines, or adapting equipment.
Health and Safety: Adjustments must not compromise the safety of the individual or others. If certain activities present a heightened risk, the instructor should find safer alternatives that still allow the individual to engage.
Impact on Others: While individual needs are paramount, instructors should ensure that adjustments do not negatively affect the learning experience of other participants. A balance must be found between supporting the SEN student and maintaining group cohesion.
Available Resources:
BMABA recognises that resources vary between clubs, and not all adjustments will be feasible in every setting. Instructors should make fair decisions by evaluating:Staffing: If additional support is required to assist a student with SEN, instructors should assess whether the club has sufficient trained staff or volunteers to provide this assistance without compromising other students’ training.
Facilities: Clubs may have limitations on their physical setup, such as space, accessibility, or equipment. Instructors should strive to adapt facilities where possible but acknowledge that certain limitations may restrict some adjustments.
Budget: While BMABA encourages clubs to invest in inclusivity, instructors should consider budgetary constraints when making adjustments. Resources such as adaptive equipment or additional staff should be prioritised based on availability and long-term sustainability. BMABA's Grant Programme is worth consideration where applicable.
Communication and Transparency:
It is essential for instructors to communicate openly with students, their families, and guardians about what reasonable adjustments can be made. This includes:Explaining any limitations due to resources while emphasising the commitment to inclusion and seeking alternative solutions where possible.
Encouraging dialogue and feedback to ensure that the student and their family understand the decisions made and feel involved in the process.
Maintaining transparency by outlining how provisions will be regularly reviewed and reassessed to reflect any changes in resources or the student's needs.
Continuous Improvement and Resource Allocation:
BMABA promotes continuous improvement in SEN provisions across all clubs. Instructors are encouraged to:Regularly assess the resources available within their club and explore opportunities for securing additional funding or support, such as grants for inclusive equipment or training for staff.
Share best practices with other clubs within the BMABA network to help develop a collective approach to inclusivity.
Stay informed about emerging trends, technology, and equipment that can enhance inclusivity and SEN provision within martial arts training.
12. Monitoring and Reporting
Instructors are expected to maintain regular records of SEN provisions and any reasonable adjustments made. These records should be:
Used to track the progress of SEND students and ensure that adjustments are effective.
Reviewed periodically with club management to assess whether additional resources or changes are required.
Available for feedback and review by the BMABA national body to ensure consistency in the application of SEN provisions across all clubs, especially where there are formal complaints or statutory investigations.
13. Legislation and Guidance
This policy is informed by the following UK legislation and guidance:
The Equality Act 2010
The Children and Families Act 2014 (specifically Part 3 relating to SEND)
The SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (2015)
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
14. Summary
BMABA is committed to promoting an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment where everyone, regardless of ability or need, can enjoy and benefit from martial arts. We strive to create a culture of equality and respect, ensuring that our association is accessible to all and that every individual can thrive within their chosen discipline.
This policy will be reviewed annually, with input from stakeholders to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our diverse community. Where revisions and additions are required, the policy shall be updated more often than once per year.