Regulated activity: a guide for charity volunteers and organisers

Regulated activity with children

Teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children can count as regulated activity if it happens on more than three days in a 30-day period. It can also qualify under the overnight rules, which cover certain work between 2am and 6am with a chance of face-to-face contact. Some personal care and healthcare activities qualify even once. ^[1]

There are other ways a role can qualify, including work in certain settings, driving and specific responsibilities. Find the rule for the actual duties before checking how often they happen.

For a five-day club, record the days on which each person will perform the relevant duties. Do not use the length of the event as a substitute for assessing each role.

What changed on 1 September 2026?

The supervision exemption was removed for the affected activities with children in England and Wales. A person doing those activities often enough or overnight can now be in regulated activity even when supervised. The change does not alter the adult definition. ^[2]

Revisit records that say “supervised, so no barred list”. Identify whether that was the reason for the old decision, whether the role meets the remaining conditions, and whether a new check is needed under the applicable sector guidance.

For schools, colleges and childcare settings in England, read Department for Education guidance alongside the DBS rules. Its instructions apply to those settings, not to every charity event. ^[3]

Regulated activity with adults

For adults, the rules depend on the type of help provided. It includes qualifying healthcare, personal care, social work and certain assistance with shopping, finances or transport. Some of these duties count even if done only once. Do not use the children’s frequency rules for adult roles. ^[4]

Ask what the person does and why the recipient needs it. A general description such as “helping older people” is too broad for a reliable decision. Separate a social visit from duties involving personal care or other specified assistance.

Check a role step by step

1. Write an accurate account of the duties.
2. Identify the people receiving the service and the relevant country.
3. Find the matching activity or setting in official guidance.
4. Apply that route’s conditions, including frequency where relevant.
5. Record the check level, workforce and barred-list decision.
6. Revisit the assessment when the role or guidance changes.

A useful record explains the reasoning. “All our volunteers are enhanced checked” does not explain why an individual role qualifies.

Responsibilities continue after recruitment

If your organisation provides regulated activity, it may have a legal duty to report someone to DBS. This can apply when you remove someone from that work because they harmed a person or posed a risk of harm, if the legal conditions are met. You may still need to report them if they resign. ^[5]

Put the referral route into the organisation’s safeguarding procedure so a concern is handled by the right person promptly, alongside any other safeguarding reporting required.