Safeguarding

Kickboxing GB has designated personnel you can speak to if you have concerns about poor practise or suspect that a child or vulnerable adult may be being abused or is at risk. The first point of contact is our Lead Safeguarding Officer Linda Baxter with the President Peter Edwards as a point of escalation should the need arise:

At Kickboxing GB, we take the safety and well-being of our members very seriously. We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all participants, ensuring that they can enjoy the benefits of kickboxing with peace of mind. Safeguarding is at the forefront of our organisation, and we continuously educate our staff, instructors, and members on best practices to identify and prevent any potential risks or concerns. We believe that education is key to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community, and we strive to equip everyone involved with the knowledge and tools necessary to create a positive and protective atmosphere.

DBS checks

DBS rules changed on 1 September 2026. The exemption that allowed supervised assistant coaches and volunteers to work in regulated activity without a check has been removed. This means a person can now be undertaking regulated activity with children even when they are being supervised.

The frequency threshold has also changed. It is now more than 3 days in any 30-day period — that is, 4 or more days. Days are counted across all the clubs, schools and organisations a person works with, not one by one.

Where a coach, instructor, official or volunteer falls within the new definition, an Enhanced DBS check with the children's barred lists may be requested. A barred-list check is possible but not automatic — it depends on the activity the person carries out. Clubs should review their current arrangements and make sure everyone who now needs a check has one before they continue in role.

Full details: the government guidance is at www.gov.uk/government/news/change-to-the-definition-of-regulated-activity-with-children-from-1-september-2026. If you are unsure whether a role needs a check, contact the safeguarding team before the person starts. DBS checks are a mandatory requirement for all Kickboxing GB volunteers.

Training

Safeguarding awareness is a mandatory requirement for all Kickboxing GB coaches from grassroots through to our elite levels. Whilst safeguarding certification can be attained by any recognised 3rd party provider Kickboxing GB recommends the safeguarding and protecting children courses delivered by UK Coaching.

UK Coaching’s mission is to inspire and support coaches to deliver great coaching through best practice, training, research and industry standards across sports, communities and national governing bodies. For over 25 years UK Coaching have worked with the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) to set the right standards and raise awareness among coaches of how to recognise and respond to matters of safeguarding children.

They have also partnered with The Ann Craft Trust to offer learning on how to support and promote the welfare of adults at risk, and with the CPSU on training for welfare officers. Click here for more information about UK Coaching…