Table Tennis England removes the supervision exemption from September 1, 2026: September 29 webinar redraws the safeguarding line for children

Starting on September 1, 2026, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 changed the legal definition of Regulated Activity in England. Previously, some volunteers and coaches who worked with children while being supervised did not need a DBS check. That supervision exemption no longer exists. Supervised roles are now treated the same way as unsupervised roles in relation to safeguarding checks. Table Tennis England has therefore announced an online webinar to explain the changes. The webinar will take place on September 29, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm UK time. It will be led by Kyhl Daly, Table Tennis England’s Designated Safeguarding Officer. Club Welfare Officers, league committee members and volunteers who regularly work with children are encouraged to attend. The webinar will cover how the legal change affects individuals and clubs, how Table Tennis England manages DBS checks, and why these checks are essential to protecting children in the sport. The new rules require everyone in a table tennis environment involving children to be examined under the same standard, even if their role is supervised by someone else. Clubs will need to review volunteer lists, identify gaps in DBS records and take steps before allowing adults to work with children. This is not just an administrative update. It is a cultural change that protects young players and improves trust in the sport. The September 29 webinar is an important opportunity for clubs to ask questions and prepare for the new legal landscape. No child should be in a training hall without qualified and checked adults around them.