DBS changes from September 2026: What organisations need to know
If your organisation works with children and has staff or volunteers in roles that involve regular contact with them, there are important changes to DBS checks coming into effect on 1 September 2026.
What is changing?
At the moment, certain activities involving children can fall outside the definition of regulated activity with children where the person carrying them out is appropriately supervised by someone who is themselves undertaking regulated activity.
From 1 September 2026, this supervision exemption will be removed.
This means that people who regularly teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children may be carrying out regulated activity, even if another member of staff or volunteer is supervising them.
The change applies when these activities are carried out:
- More than three days in a 30-day period, or
- Overnight, between 2am and 6am.
The change is particularly important for organisations that use volunteers. Someone who has previously been able to volunteer in a role because they were supervised may now fall within the definition of regulated activity.
Who could be affected?
The change could affect many organisations working with children, including:
- Schools and colleges
- Youth organisations
- Children’s clubs and activity providers
- Charities and community organisations
- Organisations running residential or overnight activities
- Other organisations where staff or volunteers regularly work with children
However, this does not mean that everyone who has occasional contact with children will be affected. The frequency and type of activity are important.
It is important to look at what a staff member or volunteer actually does, rather than just their job or volunteer title.
What does it mean for your organisation?
You should consider whether roles within your organisation meet the new definition of regulated activity. However, the change does not mean that every organisation automatically has to carry out a new DBS check on every member of staff or volunteer.
The changes come into effect on 1 September 2026, so now is a good time to review your current arrangements.
1. Look at your roles
Identify staff and volunteers who regularly teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children.
2. Check how often they carry out these activities
Pay particular attention to anyone carrying out these activities more than three days in a 30-day period, or who takes part in overnight activities.
3. Review your DBS checks
Consider whether anyone who was previously outside regulated activity because they were supervised may now be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List information.
4. Don’t leave it until September
If you identify roles that may be affected, start reviewing them now. This gives you time to understand what checks may be appropriate and arrange them where necessary.
Not sure how the changes affect your organisation?
The official government guidance explains the changes in more detail:
Regulated activity: removal of the supervision exemption – comes into force 1 September 2026
The DBS is also running information sessions about the changes in September 2026, including sessions for voluntary-sector organisations.
You can also get in touch with our DBS team to discuss your DBS requirements.
Last updated: August 2026
