Table Tennis England tightens child safety: From 1 September 2026, supervised volunteers also need DBS check

Table Tennis England has announced an important change that could affect thousands of clubs, coaches and volunteers working with children. Under the new plan, from September 1, 2026, the requirements for criminal record checks (DBS) in table tennis will be officially tightened. The concept of 'supervision exemption' will no longer exist in activities involving children. This means that anyone, whether working under direct supervision or not, who regularly comes into contact with children in table tennis, will need a valid DBS certificate. To help clubs and individuals understand the new regulations, Table Tennis England will hold an online webinar on Tuesday September 29, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm local time. The speaker is Kyhl Daly, the designated Safeguarding Officer of the federation. This webinar is aimed not only at welfare officers but also at club committees, league officials and regular volunteers. Under current rules, volunteers or coaches who worked with children but were always under direct supervision could be exempt from DBS checks. However, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 has removed the 'supervision exemption' from the legal definition of Regulated Activity. From September 1, 2026, supervised and unsupervised roles will be treated equally. During the webinar, participants will learn about the change in regulations, how it affects them, the DBS processes, and the importance of checks in safeguarding children. Clubs now need to review all personnel. Anyone who has responsibility for children for a significant period must complete a DBS check. This will have financial implications, but it is also an opportunity to professionalise operations and build trust. This is also a chance for the table tennis community to commit to a safe environment. In Vietnam, although there is no DBS equivalent yet, the lessons from England are valuable for developing youth sports protection systems.