How BMABA CIC Handles Complaints and Safeguarding Concerns

At BMABA CIC, safeguarding and professional standards are taken extremely seriously. When a concern or complaint is raised with us, we treat it with care, respect and urgency.

However, it is important for parents, students and members of the public to understand what our role is, and equally, what it is not.

We Are Not a Statutory Regulator

BMABA CIC is a self-funded, non-profit Community Interest Company. We are not a government body, law enforcement agency or statutory regulator. We do not have legal powers to investigate criminal allegations, compel evidence, or determine guilt in cases involving serious safeguarding concerns.

We also do not receive public funding to run formal investigations. We do not operate large investigative teams or have the authority to interview witnesses under caution or access police records.

Because of this, when serious concerns are raised, particularly those involving:

• Allegations of sexual offences

• Inappropriate conduct towards children or adults at risk

• Safeguarding failures

• Criminal behaviour

• Significant professional misconduct linked to safety

we must follow a structured and legally appropriate process.

What Happens When a Serious Safeguarding Concern Is Raised?

Where a concern relates to someone’s suitability to work with children or adults at risk, we are required to escalate that concern to the appropriate statutory body.

In England, this is typically the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

A LADO is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the management of allegations against adults who work with children. They work alongside the Police, Children’s Services and other statutory authorities to ensure that concerns are handled fairly, proportionately and lawfully.

When a matter is referred to LADO:

• They assess the nature of the concern

• They determine whether it meets the threshold for investigation

• They coordinate any necessary involvement from Police or Social Care

• They oversee the formal process until a conclusion is reached

This process ultimately leads to a determination such as whether an allegation is substantiated, unsubstantiated, unfounded or malicious.

BMABA CIC does not run parallel investigations in these circumstances. We are guided by the statutory process and its outcomes.

What Authority Does BMABA CIC Have?

If a concern is substantiated through the appropriate statutory process, we have clear authority to act. This may include:

• Suspending or cancelling membership

• Refusing applications

• Removing instructor recognition

• Restricting access to our platforms and awards

However, if allegations are not substantiated, our ability to act is significantly restricted. We cannot lawfully impose sanctions simply because an allegation has been made.

Fairness and due process matter. Acting outside of evidence or established findings would not only be unjust, it could undermine the integrity of the safeguarding system itself.

Why We Cannot Simply Suspend on Allegation Alone

We understand that when serious allegations are raised, emotions run high. Parents and students quite rightly want immediate action.

It is also important to say openly that this process can be frustrating, for you and for us. There are situations where, if we were granted the same statutory powers and legal protections as Police or Local Authorities, we might choose to take more immediate or robust action. However, we are not afforded that mandate.

As a private Community Interest Company, we must operate within the law. This includes the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. We cannot determine criminal guilt. We cannot replace the role of Police or Children’s Services. We cannot impose sanctions indefinitely without clear evidential basis or formal findings.

Acting beyond our authority, or imposing penalties without due process, would not only be unfair, it could expose our organisation to legal challenge and ultimately harm the wider membership we exist to serve. Fairness, proportionality and lawful process protect everyone, including victims, accused individuals and the integrity of the safeguarding system itself.

This is not about avoiding responsibility. It is about ensuring that decisions are evidence based, legally sound and defensible. Our responsibility is to ensure that concerns are directed to the correct statutory authorities and that we respond appropriately once formal outcomes are confirmed.

Even where we share the frustration of those raising concerns, we will always advocate for what is right and do everything we properly can to support those affected with compassion, care and integrity.

Internal Professional Standards

There are situations that do not meet the threshold for statutory safeguarding investigation but do relate to professional standards or conduct within our framework.

In those cases, BMABA CIC can and does take robust action under our Professional Standards Charter and internal guidance. This may include:

• Warnings

• Compliance conditions

• Mandatory training

• Suspension or removal of membership

• Withdrawal of awards or endorsements

These decisions are based on breaches of our internal standards and codes of conduct.

It is important to note that many complaints raised by members of the public involve allegations that fall into criminal or safeguarding territory. In those cases, the matter must be triaged through official channels before we can determine any further action.

Our Commitment

If a complaint is brought to us, we will always:

• Take it seriously

• Acknowledge it promptly

• Signpost or escalate to the appropriate statutory body

• Cooperate fully with official investigations

• Act decisively when findings justify action

We advocate for the safety and wellbeing of students. At the same time, we are bound by fairness, legal process and proportionality.

Safeguarding works best when every organisation plays its correct role. Police investigate crime. Local Authorities assess safeguarding risk. Courts determine guilt. BMABA CIC ensures that membership and professional standards reflect those outcomes.

If you have a safeguarding concern, we encourage you to report it directly to the Police or your local authority safeguarding team as well as notifying us, so that the appropriate statutory process can begin without delay.