1. We will ensure that all instructors are properly vetted, this procedure may involve a Local Authority and/or Police Check.
2. We may ask for the names of two referees who are prepared to provide written references for the instructor. The referees may be contacted personally by the Budokwai Martial Arts Association's Chairman or Senior Instructor.
3. All instructors must agree to adhere to the guidelines laid down in the Budokwai Martial Arts Association's "Child Protection Policy" document.

Statement
The Budokwai Martial Arts Association believes that every child, regardless of age, has at all times and in all situations a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child being physically or psychologically damaged. If we have suspicions about a child's physical, sexual or emotional well being, we will take action.

The above statement and the following Instructors Guidelines form
The Budokwai Martial Arts Association's 'Child Protection Policy'

Child Abuse - Budokwai Martial Arts Association's Instructors Guidelines

What is child abuse? Child abuse can take many forms.

Physical abuse

• Physically hurting or injuring a child
• When the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the childs immature and growing body
  

Neglect

• Failure to provide a training environment that caters for a childs basic physical needs (eg. lighting, heating, toilet facilities)
• Leaving a child unsupervised
• Exposing a child to undue risk of injury
  

Sexual abuse

• Inappropriate physical contact with a child

Emotional abuse

• Shouting at, or verbally abusing a child
• Constantly criticising a child, or creating unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations
• Where there is neglect, sexual or physical abuse

Child Protection
As a martial arts Instructor you can reduce situations for abuse of children by adhering to good practice.
It does not make sense to

• Spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
• Take children alone in a car on journeys, however short
• Take children to your home

You should never

• Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games
• Allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any form
• Allow children to use inappropriate language
• Make sexually suggestive comments to a child
• Let allegations a child makes go unchallenged or unrecorded
• Do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves (if a child is young or disabled it may be necessary to assist in such things, but this should be done with full parental consent)
  

As a martial arts Instructor you are also in a position where you may recognise signs of a child being abused outside of your classes. It is your responsibility to act if you have concerns with regards to the well being of a child.

Signs which may indicate abuse include

• Unexplained bruising or injuries
• Sexually explicit language or actions
• Sudden changes in behaviour
• Something a child has said
• A change observed over a long period of time (eg. loss of weight, or becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt)

If you have concerns you should

• Discuss your concerns with the childs parents, guardian or carers
• Contact the police or social services (these services have a duty under the Childrens Act to ensure children are protected and to help those that have been abused)
• UK Instructors can obtain advice from the NSPCC free helpline (24 hrs) tel: 0800 800 500 or Childline tel: 0800 1111
• Our Instructors in Canada can obtain advice from the Helpline for Children by dialling 0 and asking the operator for Zenith 1,2,3,4. (toll free 24hrs). There is also a counselling and referral phone number for children called the Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868.
• Instructors in other countries should make a note of their local child welfare office or helpline.
  

To summaries

1. Instructors should understand what child abuse is
2. Avoid situations for abuse of children by adhering to good practice
3. Recognise the signs of a child being abused outside of your classes
4. If you have concerns, do something.

Look after our children, they are the future of Martial Arts!

Please note that the following amendment has been added to the association's constitution and rules.

19.V Instructors Rules (addition)

All instructors must adhere to the guidelines laid down in the Budokwai Martial Arts Association's 'Child Protection Policy' document.

Click here to download the policy in Word format (.zip file - 6 kb)