What we do

Martial arts in Britain are taught by thousands of independent clubs across dozens of styles. That variety is a strength, but it can make it hard for a parent, an employer or a new student to know whether a club is properly run or a grade is genuine.

The British Association of Martial Arts exists to close that gap. We licence clubs that meet clear standards on insurance, safeguarding and instructor qualification, and we give independent recognition to black belt and Dan grades so that a grade earned in one style or club is understood everywhere.

Styles we recognise

We work with traditional and modern systems alike, including karate, taekwondo, judo, ju-jitsu and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, aikido, kung fu and wushu, kickboxing, hapkido, krav maga and Filipino martial arts. If your style is not listed, apply anyway: the panel assesses the grading syllabus, not the name.

How we are run

The association is governed by a volunteer board. Grading decisions are made by an independent grading panel of senior Dan grades from several styles, and no panel member reviews an application from their own club. Safeguarding is overseen by a designated safeguarding lead who reports directly to the board.

What every club must do

• Appoint a club welfare officer whose name and contact details are displayed at the venue.
• Make sure every instructor and helper working with under-18s has the appropriate check: an enhanced DBS check with barred list in England and Wales, PVG scheme membership in Scotland, or an enhanced AccessNI check in Northern Ireland. Checks are renewed at least every three years or kept current through the DBS Update Service.
• Complete recognised safeguarding training, refreshed every three years.
• Keep a written safeguarding policy and share it with parents.
• Get written parental consent, emergency contacts and medical information for every junior.
• Avoid one-to-one unsupervised contact with juniors wherever possible, and never in private.
• Communicate with juniors through parents or group channels, never by private message.
• Get consent before photographing or filming juniors, and never publish a child's full name with their image.
• Supervise changing areas appropriately and never require juniors to change in front of adults.
• Explain physical contact during teaching and only use contact that the technique needs.

How we handle a concern

All concerns go to the designated safeguarding lead, who decides on the next steps. Where a concern involves risk to a child, it is referred to local authority children's services or the police. Concerns about an adult who works with children are referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). We may suspend a club licence or a member while a concern is investigated, and we report to the Disclosure and Barring Service where the law requires it.

We keep safeguarding records securely and share them only with people who need to know.

Adults at risk

The same principles apply to adults who may be at risk because of disability, illness or circumstances. Concerns are referred to adult social care.

Insurance

Clubs must hold public liability insurance for their activity and venue, and instructors should hold professional indemnity cover. We recommend personal accident cover for members.

First aid and emergencies

• A qualified first aider and a stocked first aid kit at every session.
• A written emergency plan, including how an ambulance reaches the training area.
• An accident book, with serious incidents reported to the association within 7 days.
• Know where the nearest defibrillator is.

Head injuries

Follow the UK concussion guidelines for grassroots sport: if in doubt, sit them out. Anyone suspected of concussion stops training straight away, does not return the same day, and follows a gradual return plan.

Training environment

• Check mats, floor and equipment before each session and record any faults.
• Make sure the space suits the number of students and the activity.
• Match sparring partners by size, age and experience, and use protective equipment suited to the style.
• Use controlled contact for juniors and beginners.
• Store training weapons securely and use blunt training versions. Never carry bladed weapons in public without a lawful reason.

Gradings

Gradings must be supervised by a qualified examiner, with a first aider present, and must not push candidates beyond safe limits of fatigue or contact.