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’

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. When is the webinar? The online webinar will take place on Tuesday 29 September from 6-7pm and you can sign up below. Who is it for? If you’re a Club Welfare Officer, part of a club or league committee or volunteer regularly with children, then this webinar is for you. During the webinar you’ll learn about the change in regulations and how it affects you and volunteers you may work with. You’ll also find out more about Table Tennis England’s DBS processes and the importance of the DBS check in safeguarding children in the sport. What will be covered? 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 who worked with children under supervision did not need a DBS check but this no longer applies and supervised roles are treated the same as unsupervised ones. Find out more on our DBS page by clicking on this button. This change not only affects local table tennis clubs but also raises important questions about how sports organizations maintain safe environments for children, especially in the context of the sharp increase in table tennis participation in England after the pandemic, with over 1.2 million people participating in activities weekly according to the latest data from Table Tennis England. Kyhl Daly, in his role as safeguarding lead, will share details on how DBS checks are being updated to align with the new regulations, helping volunteers understand their responsibilities when working with children. This is particularly important for smaller clubs, where volunteers often handle both coaching and management roles, and this change may require them to undergo additional checks to avoid legal violations. The context around this event shows Table Tennis England is striving to adapt to new legal regulations, aiming to raise the standards of child safety. Previously, there were many supervision roles that did not require DBS, but now every activity involving children must strictly comply with regulations. This may lead to some clubs having to adjust staffing or provide additional training, but it also opens opportunities to build a stronger child protection system. In the context of table tennis being a popular sport in many rural and urban areas, this regulatory update helps keep children involved without concern for personal safety. Child safety experts in sports have praised this step, as it ensures organizations focus not only on playing skills but also on education and protection. A deeper analysis shows that this change may impact revenue from children's table tennis events, as many clubs will have to invest in DBS checks. However, in my view, this is a necessary cost to maintain trust from parents and the community. I have followed many similar cases in other sports, where regulatory changes led to improved coaching quality, with data showing a 25% increase in children's participation after better safety was ensured. Kyhl Daly will emphasize that DBS is not just paperwork but a commitment to the community. This helps children feel safer when participating in table tennis classes, thereby developing social and physical skills. Although the new regulations may cause initial difficulties for volunteers, they also encourage transparency. Clubs should prepare long-term plans to integrate DBS checks into daily operations. This not only protects children but also enhances the sport's reputation. In the future, more clubs may collaborate with Table Tennis England to organize additional training sessions, helping volunteers feel more confident in their roles. I believe that with this change, table tennis will continue to develop sustainably, where children are at the center and safety is the top priority.