Safeguarding is at the heart of creating a safe, enjoyable, and inclusive environment for everyone in Taekwondo. Whether someone is taking their very first class or preparing for elite competition, all members deserve to feel supported and protected.

That’s why every British Taekwondo club is encouraged to have a registered Club Welfare Officer before January 1st 2026 – a dedicated individual who acts as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns and ensures that the club meets the highest welfare standards.

A Club Welfare Officer’s role is essential in building trust within the club. They provide a confidential, approachable, and knowledgeable resource for athletes, parents, coaches, and volunteers to raise any worries, whether big or small.

By overseeing the implementation of safeguarding policies, handling concerns appropriately, and ensuring the right reporting procedures are followed, CWOs help maintain a culture where safety and wellbeing come first.

A visible and active Club Welfare Officer sends a clear message: this club values the welfare of every member.

Why do you need a Club Welfare Officer?

The Club Welfare Officer plays a vital role in safeguarding the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of members, especially young people, within a Taekwondo club. CWOs are tasked with ensuring that safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and being followed. This includes:

Creating a Safe Environment: CWOs are responsible for ensuring that the club environment is free from abuse, neglect, and bullying. They work with coaches, athletes, and parents to promote safe practice.

Supporting Vulnerable Participants: In many Taekwondo clubs, young athletes or those with additional needs may require extra attention and care. The CWO ensures these individuals are supported appropriately, both inside and outside of training.

Handling Concerns and Complaints: If any safeguarding concerns or complaints arise, CWOs are the first point of contact. They are trained to handle these issues discreetly and professionally, ensuring that all parties involved are treated fairly.

By having a dedicated Club Welfare Officer, Taekwondo clubs demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding, and they help ensure the long-term success of the sport by creating a welcoming and safe environment for all.

What are the requirements for becoming a registered Club Welfare Officer?

An enhanced DBS certificate (England and Wales)/PVG scheme membership (Scotland)/Access Ni certificate (Northern Ireland) – these are available at a reduced fee for volunteers. Please head to My Club Hub to begin this process, or to upload your current certificate.

An introduction to safeguarding course – British Taekwondo recommend the FREE online High-Speed Training course, while the NSPCC Child protection in sport and physical activity training is also an elearning course which is highly commended.

We do also have a list of other accepted courses which can be found here. If you already hold safeguarding training for example via your employment, please contact safeguarding@britishtaekwondo.org as you may be exempt.

Welfare Officer Training – These tutor led courses will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of how to handle concerns within a sports setting:

England and Wales – Welfare Officer Training: Time to Listen – UK Coaching

Scotland – Child Wellbeing and Protection Training

Northern Ireland – Designated Safeguarding Children Officer (DSCO) training

Please note: all courses are bookable directly with the course provider at a time and date that suits you.

Once all three steps have been completed, please upload evidence of these in the Licence section of your profile on My Club Hub.

How to Set Up Your CWO on My Club Hub

Firstly, your appointed Club Welfare Officer needs to create a My Club Hub account and link themselves to the correct club. (CWO Membership is FREE).
The Club Welfare Officer then adds the 'Welfare Officer' licence to their profile.
Once approved by British Taekwondo, the Club Welfare Officer must upload their CRC, Safeguarding certificate, and Time to Listen (or equivalent) certificate for validation.
Once the licence has been validated by British Taekwondo, a Lead Instructor or Super Admin assigns the 'Club Welfare Officer' role to the individual.

Important – Club Eligibility

From 1st January 2026, clubs without a licensed CWO will NOT be able to enter athletes into British Taekwondo National Events, or host Gradings at their clubs.

British Taekwondo will also check that clubs have a licensed CWO in place at the point of affiliation.

Together, We Make Taekwondo Safer

This requirement is being introduced to protect the wellbeing of all members and to ensure safeguarding standards are upheld consistently across the UK.

We know this is a significant change, but it is a necessary one. If you would like to read further about the reasonings behind this please see Key themes, learning and recommendations from The Whyte Review

British Taekwondo provides guidance, and ongoing support for all Club Welfare Officers to ensure they are equipped for the role.

By ensuring every club has a registered and well-trained Welfare Officer, we can collectively uphold our safeguarding responsibilities and keep Taekwondo a sport that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all.

Club Welfare Officers play a vital role in helping us ensure the British Taekwondo community is safe and welcoming environment for all members, volunteers and staff.

We look forward to welcoming more Club Welfare Officers to our clubs and we are here to help you recruit the right people. For any questions at all contact safeguarding@britishtaekwondo.org

Thank you for your commitment, cooperation, and dedication to safeguarding within British Taekwondo.