Table Tennis England DBS Webinar on Safeguarding Changes

Table Tennis England DBS Webinar on Safeguarding Changes Imagine a young volunteer at a small table tennis club in rural England, about to sit down with children to share the joy of the sport. Then an email from Table Tennis England appears: from 1 September 2026, every supervised role with children will require a DBS check. The old supervision exemption has been removed. The webinar will take place on 29 September, from 6 to 7pm. If you are a Club Welfare Officer, committee member or regular volunteer with children, this is your chance to understand clearly. The webinar is led by Kyhl Daly, the Designated Safeguarding Officer of Table Tennis England. He will explain the regulatory change, how it directly affects your work, and the importance of DBS checks in maintaining a safe environment for children in this sport. The background of this change lies in the Crime and Policing Act 2026. Previously, some coaching or volunteer roles with children under direct supervision did not require DBS checks. However, from 1 September 2026, this exemption has been completely removed. Supervised roles are now treated equally with unsupervised ones. This means anyone involved with children, even for just 10 minutes of basic guidance, must complete a DBS check. Table Tennis England emphasizes that this is the foundation for maintaining community trust. With over 300 table tennis clubs across the country and hundreds of thousands of children participating, strict adherence to the new regulations will help clubs avoid legal risks and build a more professional image. The core insight is that DBS is not just an administrative procedure, but a tool for protecting children in sports. According to data from Table Tennis England, over 85% of small clubs have faced situations requiring support when children are involved. DBS checks help clearly identify the criminal history of participants, thereby preventing potential risks. In the webinar, you will hear about the specific DBS process for the sport, from application to handling results. This is especially important for regional clubs with limited resources and many part-time volunteers. Understanding the regulations well will help them plan better and avoid the situation of "having children but no one responsible". The core insight is that child safety is not a burden, but an investment for sustainable development in English table tennis. The contrarian view: Many clubs may worry that the new DBS requirement will increase costs and reduce the number of volunteers. However, real-world data shows that clubs that proactively update their processes maintain a more stable volunteer base. In fact, DBS checks are not just barriers, but signals that the club is serious about responsibility. Some young coaches have shared that after completing the check, they feel more confident leading children in training sessions. This shows that the regulatory change is actually a step forward for the sport to develop in a healthier way, rather than just an additional burden. In summary, this webinar is a valuable opportunity for everyone involved in English table tennis to raise the standard of child protection together. Please register now to capture detailed information and prepare for a safer future.