Safeguarding

Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy Revised Edition for 2026 

Prepared by: Krav Maga Global (UK) 
For: All School Owners, Instructors and Trainees 
Date of Creation: 30 April 2026 
Next Review Date: 01 April 2027

1. Policy Statement 

Krav Maga Global UK (KMG UK) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people involved in its activities. 
A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 in accordance with: 
● Children Act 1989 

Safeguarding means: 
● Protecting children from maltreatment 
● Preventing impairment of health or development 
● Ensuring safe and effective care 
● Taking action to enable the best outcomes 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. 

2. Legal Framework

This policy aligns with UK legislation and statutory guidance, including: 
● Children Act 1989 
● Children Act 2004 
● Working Together to Safeguard Children 
● Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 
● Data Protection Act 2018 

KMG UK adopts a child-centred approach and recognises that no single person can have a full picture of a child’s needs. 

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

● Leads safeguarding decisions 
● Liaises with external agencies 
● Provides guidance and support 

Deputy DSL

● Acts in absence of DSL 

Club Owner / Child Protection Officer (CPO)

● First point of contact at club level 
● Ensures policy is followed 
● Escalates concerns 

Instructors, Staff and Volunteers

● Identify and report concerns immediately 
● Follow this policy at all times 
● Maintain appropriate boundaries 

4. Immediate Action

If a child is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention: 
● Call 999 immediately 
● Then inform the DSL or CPO as soon as possible 

Do not delay action.

5. Safeguarding Principles

KMG UK is committed to: 
● Treating all children equally and with respect 
● Prioritising the welfare of the child above all else 
● Listening to and taking children seriously 
● Acting on concerns quickly and appropriately 
● Maintaining safe training environment 

6. Good Practice Guidelines

All instructors, staff and volunteers must: 
● Work in open, observable environments 
● Avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations 
● Maintain professional boundaries at all times 
● Use appropriate physical contact only where necessary and appropriate 
● Involve parents/carers wherever possible 
● Provide constructive feedback and avoid humiliation or criticism 
● Ensure activities are appropriate to age, ability and development 
● Act as positive role models 

Where physical contact is required, it must be: 
● Explained 
● Appropriate 
● Done with awareness of the child’s comfort 

7. Practices to Avoid

The following should be avoided unless unavoidable and with appropriate consent: 
● Spending time alone with a child 
● Transporting a child alone 
● Engaging in private or unobserved situations 
● Failing to act on concerns 
● Poor record keeping 
● Delayed information sharing 

8. Practices Never Permitted

The following must never occur: 
● Inappropriate or sexualised behaviour 
● Rough or harmful physical activity outside training context 
● Sharing rooms with children 
● Inappropriate touching 
● Sexually suggestive comments 
● Bullying or intimidation 
● Meeting a child alone without safeguarding context 
● Ignoring or failing to report concerns 

9. Digital and Online Conduct

All instructors and staff must: 
● Avoid private messaging children directly 
● Communicate through parents/carers where appropriate 
● Not form inappropriate relationships via social media 
● Maintain professional boundaries online 

Any online safeguarding concern must be treated as seriously as in-person concerns.

10. Photography and Filming

● Parental consent must be obtained before filming or photographing children 
● Filming must be for legitimate purposes only 
● Content must be stored securely 
● Unauthorised filming must be challenged and reported 

11. Recruitment and Safer Staffing

All individuals working with children must: 
● Undergo a DBS check where required 
● Provide references 
● Verify identity 
● Complete safeguarding induction 

No individual may work unsupervised with children until checks are complete. 
DBS checks should be kept up to date. 

12. Training Requirements

All instructors, staff and volunteers must: 
● Complete safeguarding awareness training 
● Understand how to recognise and report concerns 
● Maintain up-to-date knowledge 

13. Recognising Abuse

Abuse may include: 
● Physical abuse 
● Emotional abuse 
● Sexual abuse 
● Neglect 
● Exploitation (including criminal or sexual) 
● Online abuse 
● Peer-on-peer abuse 

It is not the responsibility of staff to confirm abuse, only to recognise and report concerns. 

14. Low-Level Concerns

Low-level concerns may include: 
● Boundary issues 
● Inappropriate comments 
● Unprofessional behaviour 

All concerns must be: 
● Recorded 
● Reported 
● Reviewed 

15. Reporting Procedure

All concerns must follow this process: 
1. Recognise concern 
2. Record facts (no opinions) 
3. Report immediately to DSL or CPO 
4. DSL decides next steps: ○ Monitor 
○ Refer to Social Services / Police 

If the DSL is unavailable or the concern involves them: 
● Report directly to Social Services or Police 

16. Responding to a Disclosure

If a child discloses abuse: 
● Stay calm 
● Listen without interrupting 
● Do not ask leading questions 
● Do not promise confidentiality 
● Reassure the child 
● Record accurately 
● Report immediately 

Do not investigate or attempt to resolve the situation yourself. 

17. Incident Recording

All concerns and incidents must include: 
● Date, time, and location 
● Details of what was said or observed 
● Names of those involved 
● Actions taken 

Records must be: 
● Accurate 
● Secure 
● Shared only on a need-to-know basis 

18. Confidentiality

Information must only be shared: 
● With relevant safeguarding personnel 
● With statutory authorities where required 

Confidentiality must never override safeguarding. 

19. Managing Allegations

Where allegations are made against staff: 
● Must be reported immediately to DSL 
● May involve: ○ Police investigation 
○ Social services investigation 
○ Internal disciplinary process 

Individuals may be suspended where appropriate. 

20. External Reporting

Concerns must be escalated to: 
● Social Services 
● Police 
● NSPCC Helpline 

Staff may report directly if necessary. 

21. Bullying and Peer-on-Peer Abuse

All bullying must be: 
● Taken seriously 
● Investigated 
● Recorded 
● Addressed 

Persistent or serious incidents must be escalated. 

22. Support and Aftercare

Support must be provided to: 
● The child 
● Staff involved 
● Families 

Where appropriate, external support services should be used. 

23. Contact Information

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Ciaran Larkin 
Deputy DSL: Phil Munro 
Senior Lead: Jon Bullock 
Email: team@kravmaga.co.uk 
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 

Final Note 
All instructors, staff and volunteers must read, understand and follow this policy. 
Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action or removal from KMG UK affiliation.

Krav Maga Global (UK) | Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy | Version 01 2026