BDSA Members Update: The Crime and Policing Act 2026 Changes

Key DBS Changes for Working with Children from 1 September 2026

*** All activity is now considered to be a regulated activity if it is carried out frequently or meets the period conditions of overnight or more than three days in a thirty-day period *** 

From the 1st of September 2026, an important change to DBS rules will affect organisations working with children, including dance sport clubs, academies and affiliated training programmes. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 removes the “supervision exemption” from the definition of a regulated activity. This means that all activity is now considered to be a regulated activity if it is carried out frequently or meets the period conditions of overnight or more than three days in a thirty-day period.  

In practice, this change means that all unpaid volunteers and staff who may have worked in a regulated activity will no longer be able to work in that activity without an enhanced DBS check alongside a Children’s Barred List check (formerly known as a List 99 check). This therefore means it will no longer be possible for a volunteer to work in a regulated activity without these checks, even if they are supervised by a member of staff who has the requisite checks. The change is designed to strengthen safeguarding and ensure that children receive the same level of protection whether the adult supporting them is paid or unpaid.

What this means for dance sport

For dance studios and clubs, the change is especially relevant for adults who volunteer or are involved in coaching sessions, performance preparation, competition support, attendance and other activities. If those activities involve regular contact with children, they may now fall within regulated activity even where the adult is supervised by another coach or safeguarding lead. 

This is likely to affect a wide range of roles, including assistant coaches, volunteer helpers, competition chaperones and event support staff, significantly increasing the requirement for enhanced DBS checks.

What is not clear? 

The BDSA is seeking clarity that this change will also affect paid staff in what would previously have been seen as an unregulated environment.

What dance studios should do now?

Dance organisations, whether a local class or a national studio, should review all roles involving children and identify which positions may now require an enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List information. The focus should be on how often the role is carried out, what level of contact it involves and whether it may now fall within regulated activity under the new rules.

Clubs and studios should then update their safeguarding register to show which positions are affected and which DBS checks are currently in place. This will help identify any gaps before 1 September 2026 and make it easier to prioritise new checks where they are needed.

It may also be helpful for organisations to check volunteer and staff onboarding processes now, so that application forms, offer letters and induction materials reflect the upcoming change. If a role may soon require an enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List information, clubs should factor in processing time and get ahead of the new rules coming into force.

Where roles are shared or informal, clubs should make sure responsibility is clear for every individual. For example, if a parent volunteer helps regularly at classes or competitions, the club should assess whether that support is now likely to count as regulated activity rather than assuming supervision removes the need for a check.

If a dance studio or organisation is unsure how a role should be classified, getting in touch with the BDSA, who can help you through the process of classifying your volunteers and identifying who needs an enhanced DBS check and be checked against the Children’s Barred List.

Why this change matters

For dance sport, safeguarding is not just a compliance exercise; it is central to creating a safe and trusted environment for children to learn and develop. The new rules will close a gap that previously allowed some regular supervised roles to fall outside the highest level of DBS checking.

Organisations that act early will be better placed to manage these changes smoothly, avoid last-minute delays and ensure strong safeguarding standards across their organisation.

For more information and/or assistance, please contact membership@BDSAssociation.com.

You can download a copy of the BDSA National Safeguarding Framework here.

BDSA members can view and download additional PDF resource on this subject via the Members Zone here.