Safeguarding
At AG Martial Arts, the safety and well-being of our members, especially children and vulnerable adults, are paramount. We are dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing environment for all.
Safer classes
Clear expectations, supervised sessions and instructors who understand their duty of care.
Checked instructors
Instructors and assistants are DBS checked, insured and follow safeguarding, behaviour and reporting procedures.
Family-first culture
Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to us early if anything does not feel right.
Clear reporting
Concerns are treated seriously, recorded appropriately and handled with discretion.
Our Commitment to Safety
At AG Martial Arts, the safety and well-being of our members, especially children and vulnerable adults, are paramount. As the lead instructor, I, Sohail Chowdhary, alongside our team of qualified instructors, are dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all.
Club Safeguarding Policy
Last Updated - 15th August 2025
Purpose
Our safeguarding policy is designed to protect children, young persons, and adults at risk from any form of harm during their training at AG Martial Arts. This encompasses protection from all types of abuse and neglect. The policy outlines our responsibilities and reporting mechanisms and reinforces our commitment to a safe training environment.
Scope
This policy applies to all staff, instructors, volunteers, and visitors at AG Martial Arts, ensuring a universally safe and secure environment.
Prevention Strategies
- Compliance with BMABA national frameworks.
- Instructor qualifications, insurance, DBS checks, and safeguarding training.
- Respectful and safe interaction with all members.
- Encouragement of open environments and parental involvement.
- Strict social media and digital communication guidelines.
- Regular review of safety practices.
Raising Concerns or Making a Disclosure
We take any concern seriously. Immediate steps are taken to safeguard individuals in cases of direct disclosures or third-party concerns. We maintain a clear process for reporting and managing such incidents.
Key Contacts
In case of immediate danger
Contact the police on 999. The LADO contact details are also provided below for external reporting.
Club Safeguarding Statement
Last Updated - 15th August 2025
AG Martial Arts prioritises safeguarding through comprehensive policies and qualified instructors. Our safeguarding procedures are detailed in our full policy document.
Safeguarding Contacts
Lead Welfare Officer / Safeguarding
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
lado@southampton.gov.uk / 023 8091 5535 / 07500 952 037
Responsibility for Safeguarding
Everyone at AG Martial Arts has a role in safeguarding. Concerns can be raised with any instructor or directly with the Safeguarding Lead.
Our Safeguarding Objectives
We strive to create a safe, professional environment for all members to train without fear.
Our Governing Organisation
AG Martial Arts is a proud member of the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA). For external concerns or complaints, full contact details are available through their website.
Anti-Bullying and Inclusion
Martial arts should build confidence, not fear. Bullying, intimidation, harassment, discrimination or humiliating behaviour is not accepted in our classes. We expect students, parents, instructors and visitors to treat each other with respect.
We welcome students from different backgrounds, abilities and levels of experience. Where a student needs reasonable support to take part safely, we ask families to speak to us early so we can plan the best way to help.
How We Keep Classes Safe
Safeguarding starts before a class begins. We use structured class plans, clear instructor responsibilities, age-aware coaching and visible behaviour expectations so students know what is acceptable and parents know what to expect.
- Enhanced DBS checks for eligible instructors and assistants.
- Clear class ratios and supervision expectations for children and young people.
- Professional boundaries around physical contact, communication and social media.
- Venue checks covering access, arrival, collection and emergency procedures.
- Incident recording and escalation where a concern needs further action.
Reporting a Concern
If you have a safeguarding concern about a student, instructor, venue or class, please speak to the head instructor at your venue or contact the safeguarding team directly. You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before raising a concern.
- Email: Sohail@AGMartialArts.co.uk
- For urgent danger, contact the emergency services on 999 or the relevant local authority.
If a concern involves the instructor at your venue, contact the safeguarding team directly rather than raising it in class. Concerns are handled discreetly and shared only with people who need the information to protect students and manage the issue properly.
Policies and Behaviour Standards
Our safeguarding, anti-bullying, equality and behaviour expectations apply across all AG Martial Arts venues. Full policy documents are available on request, and we review our approach as the club grows so that families can continue to train with confidence.
For further details on our safeguarding approach, please contact us.
Contact Safeguarding Lead