📈 Sector Leaders In
Martial Arts
Safeguarding Qualifications
& Training
Your Shield. Your Confidence. Our Expertise.
Championing Safeguarding in Martial Arts
At BMABA, we’re not part of the safeguarding conversation—we lead it. As the UK’s foremost independent authority in martial arts safeguarding, we’ve built a multi-layered, expert-led infrastructure that protects clubs, instructors, and students alike.
Our team includes safeguarding specialists, trauma-informed practitioners, and experienced policymakers who actively shape national standards.
Why trust us? Because we don’t just follow safeguarding rules—we design frameworks that others aspire to follow.
Our Mission
Our mission is to raise the standards of safeguarding and governance across martial arts—making our sport safer, more inclusive, and more resilient for everyone. Whether you’re starting children’s classes for the first time, inheriting an old and outdated setup, or already leading from the front, BMABA has the team, expertise, resources, and CPD to support you.
We believe safeguarding isn’t a box to tick—it’s the foundation of trust in martial arts. That’s why we provide the training, tools, and ongoing guidance clubs need to build safer spaces and stronger futures.
Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised
Expertly Created, CPD Accredited Training
BMABA’s safeguarding qualifications and CPD has been completed by thousands of instructors, assistants and volunteers from just about every possible style and discipline.
BMABA EXCLUSIVE
Safeguarding in Martial Arts
An Introduction To Safeguarding Children & Adults At Risk
Our Safeguarding Qualification is a foundation course for instructors, assistants, volunteers, and club staff. It provides the essential knowledge and confidence needed to protect children and adults at risk within martial arts.
What You’ll Learn:
What safeguarding is and why it matters
The five core types of abuse and how to recognise them
Legal and ethical duties around reporting concerns
Best practice specific to martial arts settings
Managing boundaries, risk, and communication
How safeguarding extends beyond the dojo
Outcomes:
Understand safeguarding responsibilities
Recognise and respond to signs of abuse
Report concerns appropriately
Build safer club culture and practice
This course meets BMABA’s safeguarding standards and forms part of our CPD expectations. Suitable for instructors at all levels, including volunteers and part-time coaches.
BMABA EXCLUSIVE
Lead Safeguarding in Martial Arts (DSL)
For Designated Safeguarding Leads & Club Welfare Officers
Our Lead Safeguarding Qualification is designed for those holding lead responsibility in clubs. It goes beyond the basics to prepare you for managing safeguarding concerns, policies, and procedures with authority and confidence.
What You’ll Learn:
How to establish and review safeguarding policies
Managing disclosures and internal concerns
Liaising with statutory authorities (Police, LADO, Social Care)
Embedding a safeguarding-first culture in your club
Understanding national safeguarding frameworks and legislation
Outcomes:
Lead safeguarding confidently within your club
Manage and escalate concerns appropriately
Embed compliance with statutory safeguarding standards
Ensure your club meets BMABA’s governance requirements
Delivered through structured learning, case studies, video content, and a practical webinar, this course is essential for all lead instructors and mandatory for clubs without BMABA as their DSL.
BMABA CIC
Practical Ways We Can Help Your Club With Safeguarding
Safeguarding Training FAQs
All instructors, assistant instructors, volunteers, and club staff who interact with students should complete the Safeguarding Qualification as part of BMABA’s minimum standards.
Any club’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Welfare Officer must complete the Lead Safeguarding Qualification. It’s also strongly recommended for lead instructors or anyone overseeing safeguarding within their organisation.
Both the Safeguarding and Lead Safeguarding qualifications are valid for two years, in line with national safeguarding best practice.
Yes. Completing the Safeguarding Qualification satisfies BMABA’s insurance and membership standards. The Lead Safeguarding course ensures compliance with broader safeguarding codes and national expectations.
They are written against the latest national safeguarding guidance and frameworks, so the learning outcomes are transferable and relevant across the wider martial arts and sports sectors.
The Safeguarding Qualification covers the essential knowledge for everyone involved in delivery. The Lead Safeguarding course goes deeper, preparing DSLs and Welfare Officers to manage disclosures, write policies, and liaise with statutory agencies.
Both courses use a mix of written guidance, case studies, interactive content, and video learning. The Lead Safeguarding course also includes a dedicated webinar to bring real-world context to the role.
Yes. Both courses are delivered online through BMABA’s learning platform, so you can study flexibly at your own pace, with immediate certification upon completion.
Testimonials
What do our members say?
John Matthews
Fantastic organisation - very welcomed in comparison to the usual organisations and NGBs out there.
Miles ahead of other organisations in terms of their transparency, attention to detail and genuine understanding of martial arts.
Very affordable, fair and a lovely team behind the scenes. Just moved our entire school across and very, very happy - no need to go anywhere else.
C. Sanderson
Very easy to navigate website making it an even more pleasant experience along with very friendly staff and members.
Fantastic Value for money and an association that puts its students and instructors first. Instructors have full autonomy over their club without any interference but with enough support to feel part of a valued and safe group.
Georgina
Found these guys in Martial Arts Illustrated doing a piece on professionalism in martial arts and thought, as an instructor, they might be worth looking at further. Really impressed from the moment I hit their website through to now, 3 months on as a member.
Quite alot of additional bits and pieces to look at, as my current org wasn't asking me to have any safeguarding or dbs etc - but I suppose that's only a good thing as it means i'm now properly checked and being professional.
Website is amazing - great member's area too. Unlike the normal stuff I'm used to seeing, having spent years with the other 'big players'. Great staff, Giovanni is rediculously knowledgable and our club is now growing under the banner of what has got to be the best martial arts org in the UK.
Michael Willington
The BMABA are unlike any other org I've come across in this industry. Their honest, professional, politics free and most importantly, they know what they're doing. Website is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest, insurance is comprehensive and their overall customer service is just unlike anything else I've had in 25 years of martial arts.
Amazing through and through. Would definitely recommend.
Jon D
I joined the BMABA right in its infancy (I believe I was their second member!). I had been searching, literally for a few years, to find an association where I could get away from the political wrangling, find support where and when I needed it, be regulated in a safe and formal way, but be left to run my classes as I wanted to run them.
Giovanni is the most helpful, respectful and genuine person who has turned the possibility of a non-political, highly respected and supportive Martial Arts Association into a reality. I cannot begin to understand how he has found the time, energy and ability to build the BMABA into the association it is today with a first class Team and unquestionable ethics, but this is what all other Martial Arts Associations need to aspire to.
I could bang on for hours about the BMABA but don't take my word for it - go and visit the BMABA website and see for yourself what support and benefits are on offer - it is light years ahead and exists for people who just want to enjoy teaching and practising their Art.
Ali Hasanzade
Someone has answered my gentle prayers and FINALLY designed an organisation that will leave you stress-free in the world of MARTIAL ARTS 🙂
I am so excited to leave my recommendation because words cannot describe how much BMABA means to me and how it has changed everything in my organisation for the better.
Fabian Burdett
As we all know 2020 has been the year from hell for martial arts. We have been push about and left in the dark. One thing that has come out of that is BMABA have done everything in their power to keep clubs like mine up to date with what's happening and tried to push the government to notice us. Couldn't wish for a better association to be a part of. From the courses to the schemes available to clubs. Can't wait to see where 2021 takes BMABA. We sure will be here to go for the ride
Once again big THANK YOU to you guys for all the help. 💙🐺👊
Date of experience: 17 November 2020
John Tomsett
I have been a customer of BMABA for two years now, and I am extremely impressed with their services. As a New City Martial Arts club, we were in need of a reliable Club Association and Insurance provider, and BMABA has exceeded our expectations in every aspect.
First and foremost, the customer service provided by BMABA is exceptional. Their team is responsive, professional, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring that our needs are met. Whenever we had a query or require assistance, they responded rapidly and effectively, addressing our concerns with a level of professionalism that is truly commendable.
Matthew Johnson
Having left my previous association in November, and being very daunted by the prospect of being responsible for all my own compliance and everything else I can honestly say BMABA have made the whole thing possible and even pleasant.
The training resources are great, it's been fantastic for me to be able to quickly up skill my team, the insurance is really easy to sort out, the team are super friendly and helpful, the perks on Gold membership are also fantastic.
I would love to be able to give something "constructive" but honestly I can't. From signing up for the gold package (the perks are great), additional insurances, licensing, LSGR, training, certificates for gradings and everything in between they've been really awesome.
If you're committed to doing things right, without breaking the bank, don't hesitate. Outstanding work guys, please keep it up
Adrian Jackson
Always quick to respond and thoughtful. Great service delivered at a very reasonable price and very supportive of the community. Been a member for a couple of years now and recommend highly
Matthew Robert Cooling-Stones
as i'm heading into the brave world of starting up my own small self defence club in our village, i can say with complete honesty and satisfaction that BMABA have been the most supportive and upfront association i have come across. the help they give setting up, and walking you through step by step, to the certifications they offer are a blessing for this industry. i have seen and had first hand experience with the Mcdojo's offering you the greatest adventures of a life time, and golden opportunities. but these guys are the real deal... i hold my head high, and say with great pride "i am a BMABA member"
Anna Martensson
From a £20 Start-Up to a Nationally Recognised Powerhouse — Built From Scratch, Driven By Purpose, that's BMABA CIC.
We’re not here because of government grants, NGB status, or Sport England funding — we’re here because thousands of instructors and clubs believed in a better way. BMABA CIC is entirely independent, self-funded, and not-for-profit. We’ve never taken shortcuts or silver spoons — but we’ve earned recognition at the highest levels of UK sport, including Sport England, DCMS, and national media, purely on merit. Every pound we generate — more than £2,100,000 to date — is reinvested directly into the UK martial arts community.
No gimmicks. No politics. No hidden shareholders.
We’ve built one of the UK’s most trusted martial arts ecosystems from the ground up. That means a comprehensive, style-agnostic governance system. Sector-leading vetting, safeguarding and compliance. Affordable insurance. Free club management software. Dozens of tools, licences, guidance and expert support — all included, all in one place.
We didn’t inherit a legacy. We forged one.
Whether you’re stepping out for the first time or have always been proudly independent, this is your home. To high places by narrow roads isn’t just a slogan — it’s how we got here.
Train Anywhere, Anytime
Our safeguarding qualifications can be completed entirely online — whether at home, at your club, or on the move. Access the courses via our website or mobile app, with the option to learn in flexible blocks that fit around your schedule.
Available Safeguarding Qualifications
Safeguarding in Martial Arts
This award can be accessed online. Each lesson or module typically contains specialist text-based content and can also include videography, imagery or other exclusive content.
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1
An Introduction To Safeguarding
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2
Why You’re Here
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3
The Basics
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4
BMABA Regulation On Safeguarding
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5
Stats & Stories – The Realities
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6
Defining Child Abuse
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7
Types Of Abuse
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8
Indications Of Abuse
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9
Responding To Suspicions & Disclosures
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10
Recording Information Surrounding Disclosures
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11
Reporting A Concern
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12
Concerns Arising Outside Of The Dojo
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13
Best Practice & Poor Practice
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14
Summary & Conclusion
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15
Safeguarding In Martial Arts Assessment
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1
An Introduction To Lead Safeguarding Training
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2
Why You’re Here
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3
Lead Safeguarding Webinar (1.5 Hours)
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4
Creating A Safeguarding Policy
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5
Escalating Concerns & The Reporting Process
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6
Owning The Role – Confidence, Objectivity & Support as a DSL
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7
Summary
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8
Lead Safeguarding Officer Examination
BMABA Lead Safeguarding Qualification
This award can be accessed online. Each lesson or module typically contains specialist text-based content and can also include videography, imagery or other exclusive content.
Rooted in grassroots martial arts and driven by community impact, BMABA CIC is more than a governing body — we’re a not-for-profit movement. With decades of experience, national recognition, and award-winning innovation, we exist to make clubs stronger, safer, and better supported.
From safeguarding expertise to cutting-edge digital tools, from CPD qualifications to national governance, we give instructors and clubs everything they need to thrive.
Step into membership today — where passion meets professionalism, and your club’s future is fully supported.
CLUB MANAGEMENT & BILLING
A completely free, easy-to-use club management system that makes running your club simple.
ClubManager by BMABA is our comprehensive, all-in-one club management platform — built exclusively for our members and completely free to use. It handles everything from student records, grading, billing, and attendance through to safeguarding, compliance, finances, budgeting, communications, and so much more — all under one simple, intuitive system.
