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.

For more information and to ask any questions about DBS checks, please contact us: [email protected] or 01908 208860, option 3.

Visit Know Your People and get your application under way

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 an enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List. From 1 September, this no longer applies, supervised roles are treated the same as unsupervised ones. This applies once a role meets the frequency threshold: more than three days in a 30-day period or once overnight between 2am and 6am.

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.

You can view the FAQs here and watch the recording from our webinar here.

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.