Table Tennis England tightens background checks: From Sept 1, 2026, supervised roles involving children must also have DBS

September 1, 2026 is a significant milestone for table tennis in England: the Crime and Policing Act 2026 officially removes the 'supervision exemption' from the legal definition of Regulated Activity. Previously, volunteers and coaches working with children under the supervision of another DBS-checked person were not required to undergo a DBS check. Now, the new regulation requires them to be vetted just like those working unsupervised. This change is not merely administrative; it represents a shift in the culture of child protection in table tennis clubs across England. To help clubs and volunteers understand this, the Table Tennis England is hosting a free online webinar on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 6 to 7 PM (UK time). The webinar will be led by Kyhl Daly, the Designated Safeguarding Officer of the Association. He will explain the changes to DBS requirements, their impact on each role, and the background check processes in table tennis. The target audience includes Club Welfare Officers, members of club or league committees, and anyone who regularly works with children. So, what is really happening? Before September 1, 2026, a coach teaching table tennis to children under the supervision of a DBS-checked coach might not need a background check. The old law assumed that direct supervision was a strong enough layer of protection. However, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 abolishes this exemption. The reason is simple: studies of abuse in sport show that offenders often target roles with fewer barriers, and supervision is not always continuous or effective. Table tennis, although a low-contact sport, still has an environment of close interaction between coaches and young players. A two-hour training session with a small group of children always carries inherent risk without adequate safeguards. According to the official announcement from Table Tennis England, this change means that from September 1, 2026, every role – whether supervised or not – that falls under the definition of 'Regulated Activity' with children requires an appropriate DBS check. The concept of 'Regulated Activity' includes teaching, coaching, caring for, or supervising children on a regular basis. For table tennis, this implies that assistant coaches, volunteers in charge of younger age groups, and even event operations staff at youth tournaments with direct contact with children must all undergo background checks. Clubs can no longer rely on the justification that 'this person only works when the head coach is present' to delay vetting. Tactically, table tennis is not like football or basketball, where tactics and strategies are expressed through team formations. But in terms of management and safety, this legal change resembles a new 'formation' that every club must follow. Imagine: previously, a club could have ten volunteers assisting in youth sessions, but only three had DBS checks. Those three were responsible for supervising the other seven. From September 2026, all ten must be vetted. This creates an administrative burden, but it also creates a stronger safety fence. Data from various sports organizations in England suggests that an ordinary DBS check typically requires about 5–10 days for a volunteer to complete the application and verify documents, provide three forms of ID (passport, driving license, utility bill), and may take anywhere from two to six weeks to process. For small clubs in rural areas, convincing older volunteers – who have been involved for years – to prepare personal documents can be a challenge. They may not understand why someone who has taught children for 20 years suddenly feels 'dangerous.' Many may feel insulted and leave volunteer work. This is a real risk. Surveys in community sports clubs in England show that when new vetting requirements are applied, the rate of new volunteers drops by around 15%, while existing volunteers usually accept after clear explanation. But to do that, a good internal communication plan is needed. Kyhl Daly, in his role as a safeguarding officer, emphasizes that DBS is not a one-time ticket. The current DBS system has no 'expiry date' unless the individual updates via the DBS Update Service. Otherwise, a new check is needed each time a person moves to a new club or changes roles. The difference between 'has DBS' and 'is updated' is a blind spot that many clubs still miss. A volunteer might bring an old DBS certificate printed in 2026 – that certificate no longer holds legal validity for a new role because after leaving the previous club, any new cautions or convictions during that period will not be linked to the old registration unless the person subscribes to the Update Service. So, a club with a 'see a piece of paper is enough' process is putting itself at legal risk. From the perspective of someone who has followed sport in England for decades, this change is like a defensive transition in football: previously, when a team played with a high defensive line, the space behind was a weakness. The coach has to decide between an attacking style and safety. Here, the 'supervision exemption' was that space. The old law assumed that having one DBS-checked person in the vicinity was enough, but in reality, abuse often occurs when the supervisor is distracted, or when an offender builds a private relationship with a child outside practice hours. Removing the exemption is a way to close all spaces, ensuring all those who regularly contact children are placed under equal control. But there is a counter-intuitive angle: the new regulation could create a 'gray market' for volunteers. When some clubs are desperately short-handed, they might try to squeeze people into non-regulated positions, such as equipment management, cleaning tables, or making drinks, while still having informal contact with children. This is a real loophole. The new law only applies to Regulated Activities, not all interactions. If a non-official volunteer does not work with children as their role, but hangs around the hallway where kids change shoes, or talks to children in the locker area, the risk remains. Clubs must understand that DBS is a tool, not the final wall. A child can still be abused by a person who has never been convicted, and DBS only reflects criminal records, not the current character. Therefore, in addition to DBS checks, clubs need to maintain code-of-conduct rules, use glass doors in training halls, and ensure that two adults are present during all youth sessions. The webinar on September 29, 2026 will be a starting point, not the destination. Kyhl Daly is expected to explain the application process, how to register for the DBS Update Service, and how clubs can store records in compliance with data protection laws. Crucially, clubs should not panic. Like a table tennis match, when your opponent changes serve, you read the trajectory and adjust your stance. From September 1, 2026, every club in England needs to audit its volunteer list, identify which roles fall under 'Regulated Activity', and schedule DBS checks as soon as possible. They also need to contact the DBS check provider through an umbrella organization (such as Table Tennis England or a local partner) for guidance on costs – normally a volunteer DBS check is free if endorsed by the organization. In a context where many sports are competing to attract children back to training after disruptions, tightening regulations may cause some parents to worry about inconvenience. But consider the reverse question: if a club is not willing to vet those who interact with your child, is it genuinely a safe environment? The spirit of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 is to ensure that children never have to take risks when someone with a history of abuse could easily enter a volunteer role. Table tennis is a sport of speed and focus; but those who run table tennis must recognize that child safety is not a game of chance. The DBS process change is a significant adjustment, but with it comes an opportunity to build trust. With a clear plan, clubs can navigate this transition and make it a part of a professional sports culture. Learning to protect the most vulnerable is the greatest tactical lesson any athlete or coach needs to master.