Table Tennis England Webinar on DBS Requirement Changes: A Turning Point for Child Safeguarding in English Table Tennis

Table Tennis England has announced an online webinar led by Designated Safeguarding Officer Kyhl Daly. The session will take place on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, from 6pm to 7pm. It will explain changes to DBS requirements, what they mean for clubs, leagues and volunteers, and wider information about DBS in table tennis. The webinar is aimed at Club Welfare Officers, club or league committee members, and volunteers who regularly work with children. From 1 September 2026, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 removed the supervision exemption from the legal definition of Regulated Activity. Previously, some volunteers and coaches working with children under supervision did not need a DBS check. That no longer applies. Supervised roles are now treated the same as unsupervised ones. Table Tennis England encourages participants to learn more on its DBS page. The change expands the number of people who may require a DBS check and places greater administrative responsibility on clubs and leagues. It also raises questions about costs, waiting times and how smaller clubs will adapt. The webinar will cover the regulatory change, Table Tennis England DBS processes, and the importance of DBS checks in safeguarding children in the sport. Clubs should review their roles, identify who works regularly with children, and confirm which checks are required. DBS checks are not a complete solution, but they are a key layer of protection. They must be combined with training, supervision, clear reporting routes and a culture where children are heard. The webinar is a starting point, not the end. After it, clubs should update internal procedures, train volunteers and keep records secure. The message is clear: safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and the new rules make that responsibility more formal.