What is the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts?
The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts recognises clubs or providers in England who have demonstrated that they have reached and maintained good safeguarding standards. We encourage Governing Bodies, associations, organisations, and franchisers to register interest and support the Code and activity deliverers who can work towards attaining recognition along with clubs and individual instructors, coaches and teachers outside of a club structure.
The scheme empowers parents/carers and educational establishments to make informed decisions when selecting a club or provider for their child/children, young people or adults in their care.
The Safeguarding Code has been developed through close consultation between Sport England, representatives from martial arts governing bodies and those with years of expertise in safeguarding. Support was also provided by the Child Protection in Sport Unit, the Ann Craft Trust and NWG Network.
It is funded by the National Lottery and was launched by the Sports Minister in early 2018.
About the Safeguarding Code "mark"
The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts "mark" has been created so that parents/carers and educational establishments can clearly identify who has successfully signed up to the Safeguarding Code. Those who have been awarded the "mark" can use the logo on their promotional material (inc website, social media), their governing documents, policies and procedures, as well as their official stationery.
What if you are affiliated to an NGB?
If you are affiliated to the British Judo Association please contact the BJA at clubs@britishjudo.org.uk with a request to apply for certification with the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts. Your NGB will contact us directly once compliance with the Safeguarding Code standards has been confirmed and we will be in touch.
If you are affiliated to The British Taekwondo Council you are included in a specific process for the National Governing Body. As the British Taekwondo Council is in possession of NSPCC Advanced Standards the NGB meets all the requirements of the Safeguarding Code. British Taekwondo Council clubs do not need to apply to the Safeguarding Code, however in line with the BTC’s good practice around safeguarding, BTC clubs are invited to apply for the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts via the British Taekwondo Council if they so wish.
All club instructors will receive an application form clearly identifying the requirements to achieve the Safeguarding Code and should the club wish to be in possession of the Code and included on the map, the form must be duly completed and signed confirming that you meet all of the requirements. When you return the form to the BTC Lead Safeguarding Officer, the BTC will apply to the Safeguarding Code on behalf of your club.
If you are affiliated to British Taekwondo please register and apply. Although applying for the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts is not a mandatory requirement for British Taekwondo clubs, it is strongly advised and supported by the Safeguarding, HR and Compliance Manager for British Taekwondo.
"British Taekwondo is a Sport England recognised National Governing Body for the Sport of Taekwondo in Great Britain and is the representative of World Taekwondo and the European Taekwondo Union. British Taekwondo is a membership organisation with over 600 clubs nationwide. The membership includes elite Olympic athletes, under the direction of GB Taekwondo at the National Academy in Manchester together with national players, referees, officials, instructors and individual members who train regularly in local clubs. British Taekwondo strive to make sure that everyone who takes part in the sport is safe and happy."
If you are not currently affiliated to British Taekwondo and wish to become a member in order to benefit from their safeguarding expertise, please contact safeguarding@britishtaekwondo.org
If you are affiliated to the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA) and you have achieved the free Club Colours Award, you do not need to apply to the Safeguarding Code as it will be automatically issued to you. If you are registered with the BMABA and are not currently aware of the scheme visit the website here.