Table Tennis England webinar on DBS changes from September 2026

Table Tennis England will host an online webinar from 18:00-19:00 on 29 September 2026, chaired by Kyhl Daly, the association's Designated Safeguarding Officer. The webinar aims to explain important changes to DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) requirements in table tennis, as well as to provide broader information about DBS processes and the role of these checks in safeguarding children participating in sport. The intended audience includes Club Welfare Officers, members of club or league committees, and volunteers who regularly work with children. According to Table Tennis England, 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 require a DBS check, but this no longer applies. Supervised roles are now treated the same as unsupervised ones, meaning anyone working with children in a table tennis environment must undergo an appropriate DBS check. During the webinar, participants will learn about the regulatory change in detail and how it affects them and the volunteers they may work with. Additionally, the webinar will cover Table Tennis England's DBS processes and the importance of DBS checks in protecting children from abuse risks. This is a significant step towards ensuring a safe environment for all young athletes in the sport. This change has large implications for the table tennis system in England. Previously, many clubs relied on adult supervision to allow volunteers without DBS to assist. However, from September 2026, any activity involving contact with children, whether supervised or not, requires a valid DBS. This obliges clubs to review their volunteer lists and ensure all those who regularly work with children have registered for a check. Table Tennis England encourages clubs and organisations to update their information and attend the webinar to understand the new process. In addition to answering questions directly, the webinar provides an opportunity for welfare officers to share experiences and learn best practices in child safeguarding management. This is part of Table Tennis England's ongoing efforts to raise child protection standards across the national table tennis system. Interested organisations and individuals can register via the association's website. For the Vietnamese table tennis community, this information is also a useful reference, especially as sports federations worldwide increasingly tighten child safety regulations for young players. Vietnam can learn from risk management models to build a safer, more professional sports environment. However, this article focuses solely on information from Table Tennis England and does not reflect the domestic situation. The webinar will be held online, making it easy for delegates from different places to participate. If you are part of the English table tennis system or involved in child protection in sport, this event is not to be missed. Register now to stay updated on the latest changes and ensure compliance with the regulations.