Version 3.0 – June 2nd 2025
Reviewed / Approved by:
Khalil Bostan - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Lewis Matthews - Group Director
Next Review Date: June 2026
Download our safeguarding policy here
SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY APPLIED TO: GB ACADEMIES GROUP
Gracie Barra Harrogate Ltd, Gracie Barra Apperley Bridge Ltd, Gracie Barra York Ltd
1. Policy Statement
This policy applies to all Gracie Barra Academies clubs, including Gracie Barra Harrogate, Gracie Barra Apperley Bridge, and Gracie Barra York. Each club will appoint a designated safeguarding lead responsible for implementing this policy at the local level. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all members, especially children and young people under the age of 18. We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to ensure that robust safeguarding arrangements are in place, reflect current legislation, and align with government guidance and the requirements of the UK Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association (UKBJJA).
We are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and positive training environment where all children and young people can thrive, free from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
2. Policy Aims
This policy aims to:
Promote the welfare of children and young people and protect them from harm.
Provide clear procedures and guidance to all staff, coaches, volunteers, parents, and visitors.
Ensure that all participants:
Have a positive and enjoyable experience of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and self-defence at our academies
Participate in an environment where their safety and wellbeing is actively promoted.
Are protected from all forms of abuse, whether during sessions or outside of them.
We recognise that some children, including those with disabilities or from minority communities, may be more vulnerable to abuse. We are committed to taking reasonable steps to protect and support them appropriately.
3. Legal Framework
This policy has been developed in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:
Children Act 1989 and 2004
Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government)
Keeping Children Safe in Education (as appropriate)
NSPCC and CPSU guidelines
Safeguarding Children in Sport: UKBJJA Standards
4. Key Principles
The welfare of the child is paramount.
All children and young people, regardless of background or characteristics, have equal rights to protection.
Prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
All allegations and concerns will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
The views and wishes of children will be considered and respected where possible.
We will work in partnership with children, parents/carers, and external agencies to promote effective safeguarding.
5. Responsibilities
As part of this policy, we will:
Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Deputy DSL, ensuring they are trained and supported.
Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children throughout all club activities.
Provide all staff, coaches, and volunteers with safeguarding induction and regular training.
Ensure staff understand how to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, including how to make a referral.
Adopt safer recruitment practices, including DBS checks, references, and interviews for all individuals working with children.
Ensure procedures are in place for responding to:
Concerns or allegations of abuse
Concerns about poor practice or breaches of conduct
Allegations against staff or volunteers
Maintain confidential, accurate, and up-to-date records of all safeguarding concerns.
Implement codes of conduct for staff, volunteers, children, and parents.
Provide appropriate supervision ratios in accordance with age and activity.
Ensure changing areas, toilets, and first aid are managed appropriately and safely.
Promote child-friendly reporting mechanisms for concerns (e.g., suggestion boxes, designated contact times).
6. Training and Support
All safeguarding leads, staff and volunteers will complete online formal training as recommended by the UKBJJA, our sports governing body, and keep updated with best practice.
Training will be reviewed bi-annually. An annual safeguarding training course will be provided by the academy, with mandatory attendance for Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputy Safeguarding Leads.
7. Reporting and Responding
Concerns about a child’s or adults welfare must be reported immediately to the DSL.
In the absence of the DSL, the Deputy DSL must be informed.
We will ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern.
If a child is at immediate risk of harm, staff must contact emergency services (999).
Allegations against staff or volunteers will be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and managed in line with statutory procedures related to children as required.
Note: The LADO is notified when there are concerns that an individual's actions have harmed, or may have harmed, a child, or when there is a possibility of a criminal offence against a child. This notification should be made within one working day using the details listed below.
Confidentiality will be maintained in line with data protection and safeguarding best practice. Confidential logs will be kept for each incident within our Safeguarding and Complaints Form with access limited to relevant safeguarding officers.
In the event an incident doesn’t require escalation to the LADO and cannot be resolved by the safeguarding team, Gracie Barra Global offers the opportunity to report complaints of violations of Gracie Barra policies, code of conduct and honour code to GB Ethics. The incident report for this can be found here. Cases are reviewed by independent external parties to ensure each is reviewed impartially.
8. Communication of the Policy
This policy is shared with all staff, parents, and participants.
It is published on our website and details of your academy’s DSL and Deputy DSL are available, alongside a link to this policy, at each club.
All members and visitors must adhere to this policy as a condition of participation.
9. Monitoring and Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner in response to:
Legislative or policy changes
Guidance from the UKBJJA, Local Authority, or national safeguarding bodies
Serious incidents or concerns arising within the club
Feedback from staff, children, or parents
Next Review Due: June 2026 or earlier if required.
10. Contact Details
Group Director:
Lewis Matthews
Email: safeguarding@gbacademies.com
Phone: 01423 642434
Organisation Safeguarding Lead:
Khalil Bostan
Email: safeguarding@gbacademies.com
Phone: 01423 642434
Harrogate:
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Luke Craggs
Deputy Designated Safeguarding: Jack Fullam
Apperley Bridge
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Khalil Bostan
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Andrea Brajer
York
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Michael Bush
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Lewis Matthews
Local Authority Safeguarding Contact (North Yorkshire):
01609 533080
Local Authority Safeguarding Contact (Bradford):
BDSCP@bradford.gov.uk
01274 434361