• Home
  • /
  • Meet the Safeguarding Team

Meet the Safeguarding Team

Here to support a safe, positive and respectful karate community

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, but it is important that members of our karate community know where to turn if they need advice, support, or need to raise a concern.

The English Karate Federation CIC Safeguarding Team supports our commitment to creating environments where children, young people and adults can participate in karate safely, with dignity and respect.

Our safeguarding team is here to help ensure concerns are taken seriously, appropriate safeguarding procedures are followed, and the welfare of those involved remains at the heart of our approach.

Steve Coupland

Steve Coupland

Lead Protection Officer

Steve Coupland is the English Karate Federation's Lead Protection Officer and forms part of the team responsible for supporting safeguarding across the organisation.

The Lead Protection Officer has an important role in helping the EKF maintain a strong safeguarding culture and ensuring that safeguarding remains central to how we support our members, clubs, athletes, and the wider karate community.

Paul Barradell

Paul Barradell

Child Protection Officer

Paul Barradell is a Child Protection Officer for the English Karate Federation and works as part of the EKF Safeguarding Team.

The safeguarding team supports the organisation's approach to protecting children and young people and to promoting safe, appropriate and respectful environments throughout karate.

Contact the Safeguarding Team

If you need safeguarding advice or wish to raise a concern with the English Karate Federation, you can contact the EKF Safeguarding Team at:

cpo@englishkaratefederation.com

If you are reporting a safeguarding concern, please use the appropriate EKF safeguarding incident form wherever possible.

You can also speak to the welfare officer within your EKF-affiliated club or association.

If you believe a child or adult is in immediate danger, don't hesitate to get in touch with the emergency services by calling 999.

Report a Concern

Safeguarding Resources

You can find further information about safeguarding within the English Karate Federation, including our policies, reporting procedures and supporting resources, through our Safeguarding section.

Safeguarding Policy

The current English Karate Federation policy outlines our safeguarding policies for children and adults at risk.

Safeguarding Policies

Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts

Find out more about the EKF's Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts Governing Organisations certification and our commitment to safer practice across karate.

Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts

Safeguarding

The English Karate Federation Safeguarding homepage with details on what safeguarding is and how we approach it.

Safeguarding

DBS Checks

Find information about the DBS checks and how to obtain one.

DBS Checks
© 2007-2026 English Karate Federation CIC