Important Safeguarding Change for Organisations Working with Children from September 2026

From 1 September 2026, an important change to safeguarding legislation will affect many charities, community groups and voluntary organisations that work with children.

If your organisation relies on volunteers to support activities for children and young people, now is the time to review your safeguarding arrangements.

The UK Government has removed the supervision exemption from the definition of regulated activity. This means that many volunteers who were previously exempt because they worked under supervision will now be classed as carrying out regulated activity and will require the appropriate DBS checks before they begin volunteering

What is changing?

From 1 September 2026, volunteers who teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children will usually be considered to be undertaking regulated activity if they:

• Work with children on more than three days within a 30-day period, or
• Volunteer on an overnight activity, such as residential trips or camps.

These volunteers must have an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List information before undertaking these activities.

Whilst the Government does not charge a DBS fee for volunteer applications, organisations should be aware that there is an administration fee of £15.50 per application when processed through our trusted safeguarding partner, Community Vision, to cover the cost of administering the check.

Who will this affect?

This change is particularly important for:

• Community groups
• Youth clubs
• Sports clubs
• Scouts, Guides and uniformed organisations
• Faith groups
• Arts, music and drama groups
• Charities delivering activities for children
• Schools and colleges using volunteers

Many organisations may have volunteers who have previously been supervised rather than DBS checked. From September, that may no longer be sufficient. 

Occasional volunteers, such as parents helping on a one-off school trip or assisting at a single event, are generally not affected unless they meet the frequency or overnight thresholds

What should your organisation do now?

Trustees and leaders should take this opportunity to review their safeguarding arrangements by:

• Reviewing all volunteer roles involving children.
• Identifying which volunteers will now fall within regulated activity.
• Applying for Enhanced DBS checks with Children's Barred List checks where required.
• Updating volunteer recruitment and induction procedures.
• Reviewing safeguarding policies and safer recruitment processes.
• Ensuring trustees and safeguarding leads understand the new requirements before the autumn term begins.

Good safeguarding is about much more than compliance. It is about creating safe environments where children, young people, volunteers and families can have confidence in your organisation.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility

This legislative change reinforces the importance of robust governance and safer recruitment across the voluntary and community sector.

If your organisation works with children, don't wait until September to check whether your volunteer roles are affected. Reviewing your arrangements now will help ensure you remain compliant and continue providing safe, high-quality activities for children and young people.

Further information

Read the government guidance here

Read more about the DBS Service here

Apply for DBS Via Community Vision

Need support?

If your VCSE organisation would like advice on safeguarding governance, trustee responsibilities, safer recruitment or DBS requirements, the HEY Smile Foundation Community Development Team is here to help.