WKO - Assured Instructors & Volunteers
Due to rise in cases and convictions of Martial Arts Instructors and Volunteers in a settings involving children and vulnerable adults. WKO has put this form together to create a list of Instructors and Volunteers in Martial Arts clubs, that have no criminal convictions which make them a known risk to any Child or Vulnerable Adult
These requirements are for UK based clubs in regards to DBS checks. International clubs may apply but certain parts may not be applicable depending on your individual countries laws and requirements.
🛡 A Parent’s Guide to Choosing a Safe Martial Arts Club: Why WKO Assured Matters
The Truth About Martial Arts
Martial arts can be a powerful tool for helping children grow in confidence, discipline, and self-defence. Many clubs offer supportive, positive environments where young people thrive.
However, it's important to understand that the martial arts industry in the UK is currently unregulated.
This means that anyone can claim to be an instructor — without formal qualifications, DBS checks, safeguarding knowledge, or insurance.
There is no legal requirement for coaches to meet any national safety or coaching standards.
This creates risk, especially when it comes to safeguarding children and young people.
As a parent, choosing the right club isn’t just about training quality — it’s about trust, transparency, and safety.
What Is the WKO Assured Programme?
The World Kickboxing Organisation (WKO) has created the Assured Instructors & Volunteers Register to give families, schools, and community groups confidence in who’s delivering martial arts.
This free, independent listing highlights clubs and coaches who meet key safeguarding and professionalism benchmarks — regardless of which association they belong to.
WKO Assured clubs must meet one of three levels:
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🥈 Silver – Enhanced DBS and valid instructor insurance
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🥇 Gold – Silver + up-to-date safeguarding training
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💎 Platinum – Gold + current first aid qualification
✅ Why Choose a WKO Assured Club?
WKO Assured instructors are committed to providing a safe, structured, and professional environment. They have voluntarily submitted to a compliance and vetting process that includes:
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Background checks (Enhanced DBS or international equivalent)
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Safeguarding training — to protect children from harm
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First aid certification — in case of medical emergencies
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Public liability and instructor insurance — to ensure legal protection
These aren’t optional extras — they’re the minimum expectations for WKO Assured status.
⚠️ What Are the Risks Without Assurance?
Without external oversight, parents can’t always know whether an instructor has:
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Proper insurance
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A clean criminal background
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Any safeguarding awareness
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Relevant first aid skills
Some clubs may look professional but lack even basic safety measures — and in rare cases, pose serious risks to children.
👪 What Should Parents Look For?
When choosing a martial arts club, always check:
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Technical Credentials
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Verified black belt (or equivalent)
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Background experience and affiliations
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Professional Suitability
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Enhanced DBS check
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Safeguarding certification
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First aid training
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Public liability insurance
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Safeguarding Structures
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Designated Safeguarding Officer
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Clear complaints process
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Written safeguarding policy
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Support for SEN or vulnerable students
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🔍 How to Check If a Club Is WKO Assured
You can confirm a club or instructor’s Assured status by visiting:
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All listed individuals have had their credentials independently verified by WKO.
🎯 Final Word: Choose Confidence
As a parent, you deserve peace of mind knowing your child’s martial arts instructor has been properly vetted and held to recognised safety standards.
WKO Assured gives you that confidence — and helps ensure your child trains in an environment that is safe, ethical, and built for their development.
How will assure Instructors & Volunteers?
There are 3 levels of being assured by WKO:
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Silver Level = You have supplied us with you current DBS and meet the requirements to be assured by WKO and have Insurance in place
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Gold Level = DBS + Insurance + Safeguarding Course Completed + Instructor Qualification
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Platinum = DBS + Insurance + Safeguarding + First Aid course completed + Instructor Qualification
Do i have to be a WKO club to be assured?
The simple answer is NO, with the 1000's of clubs styles and instructors/volunteers out there this initiative would fail, if we restrict applications to only WKO clubs.
The register is designed to show those clubs willing to implement basic fundamentals to running a club safely in line with due diligence.
There are many requirements to running a club safely but key fundamentals are:
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Club/Instructor Insurance
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DBS Checked Instructors & Volunteers
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Safeguarding Aware
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Basic First Aid Certificate
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Instructor Qualification
Having the above basics in place ensures as an Instructor/Volunteer in the eyes of the law and indeed your members you are operating well within your duty of care and position of trust your members entrust upon you.
Frequently asked questions:
Is it mandatory to be on the list?
= No it is not mandatory
Does it cost to be on the list?
= No it does not
Can i still be assured if i dont have any of the requested fundamentals?
= No you wont be assured if dont have whats required
Do WKO offer Instructor qualifications?
= Yes we do
Do WKO offer insurance for Instructors and Volunteers?
= Yes we do
Do WKO offer DBS checks for Instructors and Volunteers?
= Yes we do
Do WKO offer Basic Safeguarding Courses for Instructors and Volunteers?
= Yes we do
Do WKO offer basic First Aid Courses for Instructors and Volunteers?
= Yes we do
Will any DBS check be accepted or does it have to be a WKO DBS?
= Yes any DBS will be accepted as long as less than 2yrs old
Will any Insurance be accepted or does it have to be a WKO Insurance?
= Yes any insurance that is sufficient will be accepted
Will any Safeguarding course be accepted or does it have to be a WKO course?
= Yes as long valid certificate uploaded
Will any First Aid course be accepted or does it have to be a WKO course?
= Yes as long as less than 3yrs old and a valid certificate
WKO Certificate of Assurance
Signing up to the WKO assured register is totally optional and FREE to do so.
With this in mind many would like to be certificated. Again this is totally optional and can be arranged for anyone wanting a WKO Assured Instructor/Volunteer Certificate will be issued FREE of charge for all clubs who meet the WKO Certificate of Assurance requirements.