Safeguarding

Information and guidance for parents, participants and the public.

IMPORTANT

 

If you believe a child or adult at risk is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, do not delay reporting this immediately to the Police on 999.

The British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA) takes a proactive position on safeguarding, making it a central and essential part of our core operations.

 

We are committed to ensuring the highest levels of compliance are adhered to among our registered instructors and clubs, whilst also ensuring our governance and organisational management of Safeguarding is prioritised over commercial and operational priorities. All safeguarding concerns are professionally escalated and all reports are taken seriously.

Please click the most relevant category below for guidance and support in relation to concerns around safeguarding.

You can view our safeguarding officers from here.

We take our responsibility to safeguard associated members seriously. Accordingly, we have a reporting process in place should you have concerns around our organisation’s ability to provide an impartial response to a safeguarding query.

Learn More.

General Public – Safeguarding In Martial Arts

There’s no such thing as a silly concern when it comes to Safeguarding. Every martial arts instructor in the UK has a legal duty of care to effectively safeguard their members. This includes managing their own conduct as well as reporting promptly concerns regarding students within their care.

  • You can view our organisational safeguarding policy here. This policy is effective across all clubs and instructors registered to BMABA. It outlines what we expect of the club, what you can expect of our organisation and more information on how we will take your concern seriously and address it appropriately.
  • If you have a concern, please search for the instructor on our national database and use the reporting button to raise a confidential safeguarding report which will be dealt with by our trained Safeguarding Officers.
  • If you are unsure, please email safeguarding@bmaba.org.uk and we will be happy to guide you as appropriate.
  • If you have concerns surrounding our organisation’s ability to promptly handle your complaint, please click here.

Parents & Carers – Safeguarding In Martial Arts

There’s no such thing as a silly concern when it comes to Safeguarding. Every martial arts instructor in the UK has a legal duty of care to effectively safeguard their members. This includes managing their own conduct as well as reporting promptly concerns regarding students within their care.

 

As a parent or carer sending your children to a BMABA associated club or instructor you have the right to expect a professional and safeguarding-centric class for your child(ren). If you have any concerns regarding suitability, safety or safeguarding you should always report this to us.

What You Should Expect

You should and can expect your child’s welfare to be prioritised above all else. This means classes should be safestructured and professional. Any BMABA instructor should have in place, and be prepared to show you when requested;

  • Valid, in-date instructor membership and certification relevant to the style of martial art being delivered.
  • Appropriate instructor insurance.
  • A relevant safeguarding qualification and club safeguarding policy.
  • An enhanced DBS check for all instructors and volunteers with access to children or adults at risk.
  • A valid first aid qualification.

If you have any concerns or wish to raise a complaint;

  • You can view our organisational safeguarding policy here. This policy is effective across all clubs and instructors registered to BMABA. It outlines what we expect of the club, what you can expect of our organisation and more information on how we will take your concern seriously and address it appropriately.
  • If you have a concern, please search for the instructor on our national database and use the reporting button to raise a confidential safeguarding report which will be dealt with by our trained Safeguarding Officers.

Students & Participants – Safeguarding In Martial Arts

Every martial artist practicing in the UK should expect their instructor and club to take their safety seriously. Safeguarding is an essential part of this. If you have any concerns surrounding your instructor’s conduct, you should report this immediately.

If you are under the age of 18, please raise your concerns with a responsible adult or parent if you feel safe doing so. 

If you can not do so, you can speak in confidence to ChildLine on 0800 1111 who can help you with concerns and questions. 

  • You can view our organisational safeguarding policy here. This policy is effective across all clubs and instructors registered to BMABA. It outlines what we expect of the club, what you can expect of our organisation and more information on how we will take your concern seriously and address it appropriately.
  • If you have a concern, please search for the instructor on our national database and use the reporting button to raise a confidential safeguarding report which will be dealt with by our trained Safeguarding Officers.
  • If you are unsure, please email safeguarding@bmaba.org.uk and we will be happy to guide you as appropriate.
  • If you have concerns surrounding our organisation’s ability to promptly handle your complaint, please click here.
  • If you are under the age of 18 and you have any concerns about your safety or that of another young person please do not delay reporting this. You will be listened to and your concern will be taken seriously. If you do not feel comfortable discussing this with a parent / guardian, or if you can’t report it to us, please speak with ChildLine in confidence on 0800 1111.

LADO & Police – Safeguarding In Martial Arts

BMABA have no direct ownership or control of affiliated clubs, as we effectively act as a ‘trade body’ for instructors and clubs. That said, we take the safeguarding duties of our organisation seriously and will always co-operate with LADOs and Police Forces in the prevention of harm to children and adults at risk.

We have a national safeguarding policy that outlines our structure and rigor on the matter of safeguarding and we have qualified DSOs and Safeguarding Officers able to assist. As an organisation we’re also registered to the Sport England Safeguarding Code, a national programme that provides oversight and governance checks for clubs and associations to ensure we have robust protocols in place. We have held an up to date registration since the scheme’s launch.

You can check our national database of registered instructors here and we’re happy to conduct a thorough search of past and current records on request. Please email safeguarding@bmaba.org.uk for a priority response or if the matter is desperate, call 01798 306546.

All BMABA instructors should hold;

  • A Valid, in-date instructor membership and certification relevant to the style of martial art being delivered.
  • Appropriate instructor insurance.
  • A relevant safeguarding qualification and club safeguarding policy.
  • An enhanced DBS check for all instructors and volunteers with access to children or adults at risk.
  • A valid first aid qualification.

If in doubt, please formally register a concern with our DSL from here.

Our Safeguarding Team

All of our staff are trained in handling safeguarding queries and concerns. We are one of the only organisations in martial arts with a dedicated office and professional team. Concerns can be raised with any BMABA member of staff who will always, without fail escalate accordingly.
Our dedicated safeguarding officers are as follows.

Giovanni Soffietto

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Direct: giovanni@bmaba.org.uk

Tel: 01798 306546 – Ext. 201

For safeguarding matters, please address Giovanni at safeguarding@bmaba.org.uk

Giovanni is trained and certified as a National Safeguarding Lead.

Sarah Shelton Agar

Safeguarding Deputy

Direct: sara@bmaba.org.uk

Tel: 01798 306546 – Ext. 203

For safeguarding matters, please address Sarah at safeguarding@bmaba.org.uk

Sarah is trained in safeguarding queries and concerns and will act as a deputy to Giovanni should he be unavailable or unfit to provide impartial advice or action on a concern.

Escalating A Concern Or Complaint

We have professional, dedicated in-house safeguarding experts who have the support of external consultants as required 365 days a year. Where you do not feel comfortable speaking with our Designated Safeguarding Lead, you should speak directly with the Police on 999 in the case of any emergency or with your local ‘LADO/MASH’ in all other instances.