Safeguarding Policy

Last Updated – [09/07/2024]

Purpose
The purpose of this document is to set out how Hayes MMA protects children from harm during their
training within the club. This includes harm arising from abuse of all kinds, including sexual,
physical and emotional abuse, neglect, bullying and any other forms of violence or exploitation.

This policy lays out Hayes MMA’s responsibilities and the reporting mechanisms, to ensure that our
instructors, parents, students and members of the public are confident in reporting a concern and,
for staff, to take appropriate action.

To be clear, Safeguarding is defined as “protecting a persons’ health, wellbeing and human rights,
and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect”. In martial arts, this will typically
apply to children and young persons at risk.

Scope Of This Policy
This policy shall be effective and mandatory for all staff, instructors, volunteers, visiting
instructors. This policy shall also be effective for all visitors and parents of Hayes MMA.

Policy Statement
Hayes MMA believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity,
disability, sexual orientation or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of
harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Hayes MMA will not tolerate abuse and exploitation by staff
or associated personnel. Hayes MMA remains committed to ensuring the effective prevention,
reporting and response to any safeguarding concerns raised or detected.

Prevention
In order to provide vulnerable groups with the best possible experience and opportunities within
MMA, Hayes MMA operates in line with the BMABA national safeguarding policy. This includes ensuring
best practice is met at all times in relation to safeguarding and risk management. A core part of
Hayes MMA’s prevention strategy is to ensure that the following is met in terms of minimum best
practice guidance at all times;

• Instructors are expected to comply with BMABA association national frameworks and regulatory
guidelines in respect of minimum standards, best practice and compulsory safeguarding obligations.
• Instructors must always hold the minimum grade required to competently and technically deliver
the class in question, with additional qualifications as necessary for specialist styles or roles.

• Instructors must all hold the necessary Public Liability insurance, a valid first aid
qualification and both an enhanced DBS check within 3 years from date of issue, and an in-date
safeguarding qualification relevant to the group(s) being taught.
• Treat all young persons aged under 18 years of age, with respect, dignity and courtesy.
• Treat all children equally.
• Always put the welfare of children first.
• Always work in an open environment avoiding any isolation, unobserved situation, encouraging an
open and transparent club community.
• Keep physical contact to an absolute minimum.
• Never be alone with a child.
• Where physical contact is essential as part of the safe and structured learning process of the
art, discipline or sport being practiced, the instructor and/or teaching person must only do so
with the consent of the child, remaining appropriate, non-intrusive and ensuring that where
physical contact is essential (for example, when assisting in an essential physical process for the
purposes of safety, such as breakfalls) ensuring there is always two fully vetted and suitable
adults present at all times.
• The involvement of parents / guardians is encouraged wherever possible, provided safeguarding of
children remains the top priority and that any adult may not be given the opportunity to cause
harm, distress or abuse to any children present.
• Not take photographs, videos or create any other forms of media featuring any children and
without written consent from the carer, guardian or parents in advance.
• Ensure that if the club embarks on any extra-curricular activities, safeguarding of children
shall remain a top priority and furthermore, if classes are mixed in gender, both a vetted male and
female member of the club must be present when out of the dojo.
• Remain an excellent role model both in and out of the dojo. This includes not smoking, drinking
alcohol or using any foul language in front of any children.
• Ensure that any contact via social media or other digital formats are recorded and minimised. No
instructor and/or club official should have any communication with children via any forms of social
media.
• Recognise the development needs and capacity of the children in the class and not risk
sacrificing welfare or safety for the club or instructor’s personal gain.
• In relation to the above this also means avoiding excessive training and / or competitions and
not pushing the student if they are not fully confident.
• Secure written parental consent for the club to act in loco parentis, to give permission for the
administration of emergency first aid or other medical treatment if the need arises, ensuring
medical conditions and pre-existing injuries and allergies are recorded.
• Keep thorough records of any injuries or near misses that have occurred, along with details of
any treatment given and further communication had with parents / guardians and/or children.
• Follow association guidelines and other association policy relating to good practice or best
practice.

Hayes MMA remains committed to ensuring prevention via professional, competent club governance at
all times.

Raising Concerns Or Making A Disclosure
Hayes MMA will always ensure that in any case where a child might directly confide to any form of
abuse, that the club must take immediate steps to safeguard that person effectively. Where concerns
are raised by a third party, or by suspicions held by the instructor or club, the below checklist
shall be maintained wherever possible but, in all instances, the club will escalate and report in
full on all occasions.

If a child indicates that they are being abused, the instructor to whom the disclosure is made
will;
• stay calm so as not to frighten the child.
• reassure the child that they are not to blame and that it was right to inform.
• listen to the child, showing that they are being taken seriously.
• keep questions to a minimum so that there is a clear and accurate understanding of what has been
said. The law is very strict and child abuse cases have been dismissed where it is felt that the
child has been led or words and ideas have been suggested during questioning. Accordingly, the
instructor must only ask questions to clarify details – not to question further.
• inform the child that the instructor will have to inform other people about what they have
disclosed. The instructor must ensure the child understands this is in confidence, on a needs- must
basis and is to help stop the abuse continuing.
• safety of the child is paramount. If the child needs urgent medical attention, the instructor
will call an ambulance, inform the doctors of the concern and ensure they are made aware that this
is a child protection / safeguarding issue.
• record all information
• report the incident to the club/welfare officer and, where appropriate to the police or LADO as
appropriate.

Key Contacts
Key contacts for Hayes MMA are as follows;
Lead Instructor
Connor Hayes – 07990 092871

Welfare Officer
Catherine Hayes – 07941905509

In the event that you are not confident raising your concerns with us, you can also raise immediate
safeguarding concerns or complaints to our association, the British Martial Arts & Boxing
Association (BMABA) for a confidential and professional response. The BMABA’s lead safeguarding
details are available below;
BMABA National Designated Safeguarding Lead: Kirsty Hawkins
Telephone Number: 01798 306546 (ext. 201)
E-Mail: safeguarding@bmaba.org.uk

If there is immediate concerns for the safety of a child at risk, please call the police on 999.
Should you not be confident raising your concerns for a non-immediate danger with us or our
association, the contact details for the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) can be found below;
LADO CONTACT DETAILS: 03330 139 797