Changes to the criteria of regulated activity with children came into effect on 1 September 2026. These changes may affect whether some roles are eligible for a particular level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
What has changed?
An exemption that previously applied to some people working or volunteering with children under supervision has been removed.
This means that some people who teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children may now be considered to be undertaking regulated activity, even when they are supervised by someone else.
The change applies where these activities take place more than three days in a 30-day period, or overnight. It does not mean that every role involving children is automatically regulated activity.
What does this mean for Jersey?
The UK legislation does not extend to the Channel Islands. However, the definition of regulated activity is used in Jersey when determining eligibility for DBS checks.
This means organisations in Jersey must use the updated definition when assessing whether a role is eligible for a DBS check and, where applicable, an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.
Organisations should therefore review roles where someone was previously considered not to be undertaking regulated activity because they were supervised.
The change does not create a new requirement for organisations to carry out DBS checks. Organisations remain responsible for assessing their roles and determining whether a check is appropriate and what level of check is legally available.
Organisations most likely to be affected
- Schools and colleges
- All registered childcare providers
- Sports clubs
- Youth organisations
- Charities and community groups
- Activity and outdoor education providers
Further Information
For more information, see the GOV.UK guidance:
Change to the definition of regulated activity with children from 1 September 2026
Guidance on working or volunteering in regulated activity with children