Safeguarding Update: Changes to Regulated Activity for Volunteers

Safeguarding Update: Changes to Regulated Activity for Volunteers

Removal of the supervision exemption now in force

From 1 September 2026, changes introduced through the Crime and Policing Act 2026 mean that the previous supervision exemption has been removed from the definition of regulated activity with children. This affects some volunteer roles that were previously exempt where the volunteer was supervised by a member of staff undertaking regulated activity.

Under the new arrangements, unpaid roles involving teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children are now classed as regulated activity where they take place:

• on more than 3 days within a 30-day period; or
• overnight.

This means that volunteers undertaking these activities will require an enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list information. Although DBS checks for volunteers remain free of charge, organisations may incur a small administration fee charged by their DBS umbrella body or processing provider.

The change is most likely to affect organisations that use regular volunteers, including those in the voluntary and community sector, sports clubs, education settings, youth organisations and childcare provision. It is not expected to affect parents, carers or others who help only occasionally, such as at one-off events or non-overnight trips.

What should organisations do?

Organisations that work with children and use volunteers should review their volunteer roles and consider whether any now fall within the updated definition of regulated activity.

For further information, please refer to the official government guidance:

👉 Regulated activity: removal of the supervision exemption