Table Tennis England Tightens DBS Requirements from September 2026: Webinar Guidance for Clubs and Volunteers

From 1 September 2026, table tennis volunteers and coaches in England who work with children under supervision will no longer be exempt from DBS checks. This is a direct consequence of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which removed the 'supervision exemption' from the legal definition of Regulated Activity. This change requires clubs, leagues and regular children's volunteers to review their personnel procedures before the new season reaches its peak. To support the table tennis community, Table Tennis England will hold a one-hour webinar led by Kyhl Daly, the designated Safeguarding Officer. The webinar takes place from 6pm to 7pm on 29 September. It is an opportunity for club welfare officers, club or league committee members, and regular children's volunteers to understand how the new rules affect them. The main content of the webinar will explain the regulatory change and how it applies to each group. Previously, some volunteers and coaches who worked with children under supervision did not need a DBS check. However, since the Crime and Policing Act 2026 came into force, this exemption no longer applies. Supervised and unsupervised roles are now treated the same, meaning anyone taking part in regulated activity with children must undergo a DBS check. DBS checks – Disclosure and Barring Service – are vital for safeguarding children and vulnerable people in sport. The process helps clubs verify an individual's criminal record before assigning duties involving direct contact with children. In table tennis, a sport with many volunteers and part-time coaches at local clubs, getting the rules right avoids legal risks and ensures a safe environment for young players. Table Tennis England also stresses that smaller clubs, which previously assumed having a supervisor during sessions was enough, should pay special attention. Reviewing volunteer lists, identifying who is carrying out regulated activity, and checking who has not yet completed a DBS application will be the first step. Clubs should then plan to register each individual and update internal records according to the governing body's requirements. The webinar will help roles such as Club Welfare Officer understand their responsibilities in the new process. Participants will also learn about Table Tennis England's DBS procedures, how to process applications, and the importance of DBS checks in the sport's overall safeguarding strategy. Information on Table Tennis England's website indicates that the changes in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will have a wide impact on club operations. Instead of treating DBS as a paperwork formality, it is now a prerequisite for anyone involved in coaching or supporting children in table tennis. Clubs should update recruitment policies, retrain volunteers, and keep proper records to welcome a new generation of young athletes. The webinar runs for one hour, from 18:00 to 19:00 on 29 September. Those interested can register through the link provided by Table Tennis England. This is a chance for clubs, coaches and volunteers not only to update their legal knowledge but also to build a sport environment that is safe, transparent and responsible for the next generation. With changes taking effect on 1 September 2026, table tennis in England is showing commitment to child safeguarding. This move also reminds other table tennis communities that safeguarding children does not stop at having a supervisor present, but must be reinforced through clear and consistent background checks.