Before joining a martial arts club of any style, Karate, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do and so on, you
should ask to see the basic 5 documents that any martial arts instructor should be able to produce if
asked (listed below), this will help you decide if the class you are joining will be a safe training
environment.
Before your read on it must be noted that a Black Belt, although an excellent achievement, does not in any way constitute as a qualification to teach. In comparison holding a driving licence does not make a person a driving Instructor does it?.
It is important that everyone is aware of the qualities that ALL Martial Arts Instructors should have. If an Instructor cannot produce ALL of these when asked then you should reconsider your options. Some may not carry these all of the time, but should be able to produce them by the next lesson if requested to do so. DON'T TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT. If they cannot produce the documents at all, then chances are
they haven't got them.
The 5 documents consist of:-
1. A Black Belt (also know as 'Dan or Degree') in grade and they will usually be registered with a National Martial Arts Group and be listed on a data base. Always ask for the contact details to allow you to check. Any person wearing anything other than a black belt and referring to themselves as an 'Instructor' should be checked. Students have the right to be taught by genuine black belts who have served their time and not by a person wearing a 'special instructor belt' who has only themselves been training for a short period. In comparison a person cannot become a driving instructor unless they themselves have at least 3 and half years experience. In the end the student will make their own informed decision".
2. Evidence of training as an Instructor due to the fact that a black belt, although an excellent achievement, does not in any way constitute a qualification to teach. Martial Arts are one of the largest sporting and recreational activities practiced in the U.K. As such everyone has a duty of care to ensure that Instructors have had training and understanding in areas of work such as Safeguarding (Child Protection), Health and Safety etc due to the amount of access and unavoidable physical contact they have to Children and sometimes Vulnerable Adults. This training should be with a National Martial Arts Group not simply 'awarded' by their own Instructor. Training should include Health & Safety, First Aid, Risk Assessments and Safeguarding.
3. Indemnity Insurance. The certificate should be the original from the broker NOT one printed on a Martial Arts Group letter head, unless that Group is a registered broker themselves. It is important to note here that most UK Insurance Companies don't offer cover to persons below the rank of black belt. With that in mind any person below black belt claiming to be insured should be checked out direct with the Insurance Company (not the Martial Arts Group) to verify under what criteria, if any, the cover has been issued. Ask them for the phone number to allow you to check direct. Check that the minimum age the club accepts children from is approved by the insurance company providing cover to the group/club. The reason for this is due to the fact that the most Instructor's insurance only covers him/her to teach children above a certain age. Ask for verification of insurance cover, you should be able to check this on line with the National Martial Arts Group they are registered with, failing that ask for the telephone number of the insurance company providing the cover.
4. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked every 2 years to ensure suitability to teach children and vulnerable adults.
5. A clear pricing policy with no hidden charges. This is normally given as part of a welcome or information sheet handed to you when you first visit the club and should include lesson fees, membership and licencing, gradings and equipment.
