DBS and Safeguarding training guidelines
Best practice for staff and volunteers working with children and young people
As part of our commitment to creating a safe environment, Table Tennis England requires all staff and volunteers working with children and young people (under 18s) to be aware of, and comply with, our best practice guidelines relating to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
These guidelines try to ensure that people with a history of relevant and significant offending are prevented from having contact with, or influence over, children or young people in our sport. Table Tennis England acknowledges that many people who offend against children and young people are not caught and that offending can be undetected for many years; therefore, ongoing vigilance from everyone involved in the sport remains essential.
DBS update from 1 September 2026
From 1 September 2026, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 removes the ‘supervision exemption’ from the legal definition of Regulated Activity. Previously, some volunteers and coaches who worked with children under supervision did not need a DBS check. From 1 September, this no longer applies, supervised roles are treated the same as unsupervised ones.
What this means:
- More volunteers may now need an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List information including people who help out regularly at junior sessions, even if they are always supervised by someone else.
- This applies once a role meets the frequency threshold: three or more days in a 30-day period or once overnight between 2am and 6am.
- It does not change anything for roles that don't meet this frequency threshold, or that don't involve regular contact with children.
What you need to do:
- Review your list of coaches, volunteers and helpers who regularly support junior sessions.
- Identify anyone who is currently supervised and therefore doesn't hold a DBS check.
- Apply for an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List information via First Advantage: Know Your People using your club's TTE Organisation ID.
- If you're not sure whether someone's role is affected please contact us, we're happy to help you check.
Contact us: [email protected] or 01908 208860, option 3.
DBS Webinar
Join Table Tennis England's Designated Safeguarding Officer, Kyhl Daly, for a webinar that talks through the changes to DBS requirements, what it means for you, as well as wider information about DBS' in table tennis.
The webinar will take place on Tuesday 29 September from 6-7pm and you can sign up below.
In case of concern, please ring our Safeguarding team on 01908 208860, option 3 or