Setting the Standard for Safeguarding in Martial Arts
We’re redefining what safeguarding means in martial arts. Through pioneering policy, real-world training and national accountability frameworks, BMABA leads the way in protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We're not following safeguarding standards. We're setting them.
Safeguarding is the foundation of everything we do. BMABA doesn’t just meet national expectations, we help shape them. We are active members of the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group (MASG) and the Association of Child Protection Professionals, our safeguarding frameworks are approved under Sport England’s Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts, and we hold the authority to issue SCiMA certification to our clubs directly. Behind it all sits an organisation certified to both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, because safeguarding systems are only as strong as the governance and data security that carry them.
Our national framework turns standards into daily practice. Clubs get hands-on support: CPD-certified safeguarding qualifications, in-depth policy templates, workshops and responsive guidance, with a Designated Safeguarding Lead heading our own team and empowered to act on any concern, at any level. Our safeguarding and compliance team sits at the heart of instructor vetting and oversight, and the results are public: every instructor’s status, from insurance and DBS to suspension or revocation, is checkable in real time on our National Register. When someone falls short, we act, and everyone can see it.
Why Safeguarding Matters, And Why We Must Do More
Martial arts has the power to transform lives. For many children and young people, it provides confidence, structure and a vital sense of belonging. But that potential is only realised when clubs are safe, ethical and accountable.
Too often, safeguarding in martial arts is treated as a tick-box exercise: a policy filed away, a certificate renewed once a year. We believe that isn’t good enough. In a fragmented and largely unregulated sector, inconsistent standards leave children vulnerable and parents unsure who they can trust.
At BMABA, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact poor safeguarding can have, and the incredible difference strong, proactive safeguarding can make. That’s why we’re committed to raising the bar. Not just to protect students, but to build a culture where every instructor understands their role in creating safe, supportive environments.
Safeguarding isn’t just about compliance. It’s about care, trust and leadership. It’s about making sure martial arts is a space where every child, young person and vulnerable adult can grow without fear or risk. That’s a responsibility we all share, and one we’re determined to lead on.
