English Table Tennis Tightens Background Checks: DBS Webinar on 29 September 2026 and Changes from 1 September 2026

Table Tennis England will host an online webinar on changes to DBS requirements, led by Kyhl Daly, the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Officer. The session takes place from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesday 29 September 2026, UK time. Attendees will learn about the legal changes, what they mean for clubs, leagues and volunteers, and broader information about DBS in table tennis. It is an essential preparation step for any organisation running activities involving children. DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service, the body that issues criminal record checks in England and Wales. A DBS check can reveal convictions, cautions, or information about whether a person is barred from working with children. In sport, especially table tennis, where children regularly attend training, competitions and holiday camps, DBS is a vital layer of protection. It protects not only children but also volunteers and coaches from unfounded allegations. Table Tennis England has a wide network of clubs, from urban centres to rural areas. Most children’s activities are run by volunteers, part-time coaches and club committees. A small change in legal requirements can therefore have a large impact on how organisations recruit, train and supervise staff. Table Tennis England treats safeguarding as a standing priority, not merely an administrative task. Who is the webinar for? First, Club Welfare Officers, those responsible for safeguarding at club level. Second, club or league committee members who make decisions about personnel and processes. Finally, any volunteer who regularly works with children should attend, even if they have never directly managed a group of children. Knowledge of DBS helps them understand their responsibilities and work better with their club. The core of the webinar is the change taking effect on 1 September 2026. Under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, the supervision exemption has been removed 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. In other words, if a person regularly takes part in table tennis activities with children, whether another adult is present is no longer a reason for exemption. Clubs need to review their entire personnel list, from coaches, assistants, officials and team managers to logistics volunteers. Roles once considered safe because they were supervised may now require a DBS check. The impact is significant. Smaller clubs with few staff may struggle to adjust in a short period. Check costs, waiting times and paperwork may all increase. However, this is the direction many sports organisations in England have been preparing for. The issue is not making things harder, but making them clearer. Table Tennis England has its own DBS process, including registration guidance, identity verification, result tracking and record keeping. During the webinar, Kyhl Daly will explain how these processes operate, which forms are needed, and how to handle a volunteer who does not yet have a DBS. The organisation also stresses the importance of DBS in safeguarding children while encouraging clubs to build a culture of reporting and support. A common question is whether DBS is a perfect solution. It is not. DBS is a screening tool, not a replacement for daily supervision, awareness training and complaint procedures. A person may pass a DBS check and still behave inappropriately. Clubs therefore need multiple layers of protection: recruitment, training, clear role allocation, supervision and safe reporting channels. Notably, this legal change comes as English sport strengthens accountability. Football, tennis and swimming have undergone extensive safeguarding reviews. Table tennis has had fewer scandals but is not outside the trend. Table Tennis England holding this webinar shows it wants to act proactively rather than wait for external pressure. From a Vietnamese perspective, the story offers lessons. Vietnam’s grassroots table tennis is growing, with many clubs, talent classes and youth tournaments. Yet personnel screening for people working with children remains inconsistent. Many organisations rely on personal reputation or word of mouth. A criminal record check framework, even at a basic level, could reduce risk and build parent confidence. Of course, applying a DBS-style model in Vietnam requires adapting to local law and culture. It cannot be copied wholesale. But the core principles are transferable: transparency, consistency and verifiability. When a youth sports organisation says it puts safety first, its personnel records and screening process are the most concrete evidence. Back to the 29 September 2026 webinar, clubs should prepare three things. First, review the list of roles involving contact with children. Second, identify who already has a DBS, who does not, and who newly falls under the requirement. Third, send at least one person to the webinar to understand the process and relay it to the committee. Registration is usually available online through Table Tennis England channels. After the webinar, clubs should update internal handbooks, adjust job descriptions and inform volunteers about new deadlines. Those who have not completed a DBS can be temporarily assigned to roles without child contact while awaiting results. This maintains compliance and avoids disruption. In the long term, the change from 1 September 2026 may push clubs to professionalise governance. Clearer legal requirements give organisations an incentive to invest in HR software, digital records and periodic training. This is an opportunity for English table tennis to raise standards and create a safer environment for children. Data does not lie; we simply have not learned how to ask. In this case, the right question is not how much time the procedure takes, but what risk arises if it is ignored. I stand with the number, even when the number stands alone. A rigorously enforced screening process may not generate flashy headlines, but it is the foundation of every sustainable achievement. The 29 September 2026 webinar is a chance for clubs, leagues and volunteers to understand their new responsibilities. Those interested can register through Table Tennis England’s official channels and visit the organisation’s DBS page for detailed guidance. The legal change has arrived, and the best way to meet it is to prepare early, comply properly and document thoroughly.