At British Wrestling, we are committed to continually strengthening our safeguarding standards to ensure a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved in the sport. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) changes are due to come into effect from 1 September 2026.
To ensure clubs receive accurate and reliable information, British Wrestling has met directly with representatives from the DBS Office to discuss the upcoming changes to the law and understand their implications for wrestling clubs, coaches, volunteers and members.
We would like to reassure all club administrators that British Wrestling has sought clarification directly from the DBS Office to ensure the guidance being provided is accurate and up to date. We strongly encourage clubs to rely on communications issued by the British Wrestling Safeguarding Lead and the DBS Office. Below is the guidance provided directly by the DBS Office.
Training to Become a Coach
From 1 September 2026, any member aged 16 or over who is:
- Supervising activity
- Training to become a coach in a voluntary role, and
- As part of that training delivers teaching, training or instruction to children more than three days in a 30-day period, or once overnight between 2:00am and 6:00am, will be considered to be engaging in regulated activity with children.
As a result, they will be eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check with a Children’s Barred List check.
Changes come into effect on the 1st September 2026
Members currently in this position remain eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check only.
Training Partners
The DBS Office has confirmed that pairing two members together as training partners for practice purposes does not constitute regulated activity.
Therefore, where one training partner is over the age of 18 and the other is under 18, this arrangement does not create eligibility for an Enhanced DBS Check.
Coaches should continue to use their experience and knowledge to arrange appropriate training partners and ensure they suitably oversee all participants.
Parents Helping at Club Sessions
Parents who volunteer to assist with non-coaching tasks, such as:
- Making tea, coffee or refreshments,
- Collecting subs or payments,
- Supporting general administration at the door,
- are not undertaking regulated activity.
- Consequently, these roles do not qualify for an Enhanced DBS Check.
BWA Coach Licensing and DBS Requirements
In light of these changes, clubs are reminded of the following important requirements:
Coaches Must Be Licensed
- Any coach who is not listed on the British Wrestling Coaches Register is not covered by British Wrestling Insurance.
Coaches Supervising Activity Must Hold a Valid Enhanced DBS Check:
- The DBS Office has advised that any individual who is actively supervising activity on the mat in a coaching capacity must hold a valid Enhanced DBS Check.
- Failure to meet this requirement could have significant consequences for both the individual and the club, including potential financial penalties and legal implications.
Apply Early for DBS Checks
- Enhanced DBS applications can take time to process. Clubs are strongly encouraged to identify anyone who requires an Enhanced DBS check and ensure applications are submitted as early as possible.
View the Coaches Register here: 👉 https://britishwrestling.org/get-involved/coaches/coach-register/
What happens if I don’t have an Enhanced DBS check?
If you are found to be supervising regulated activity without the appropriate checks, you could face:
- Fines of up to £1000
- Prison time of up to 5 years
- The club may also face repercussions for allowing a coach to supervise regulated activity without the appropriate checks
Key Message for Clubs
British Wrestling will continue to work closely with the DBS Office and provide clubs with official updates as further information becomes available.
In the meantime, clubs should:
- Follow guidance issued directly by British Wrestling and the DBS Office.
- Avoid relying on rumours or unofficial advice.
- Ensure coaching staff hold the appropriate DBS checks.
- Encourage prospective coaches and volunteers to begin DBS applications at the earliest opportunity.
- Verify that all active coaches are registered on the British Wrestling Coaches Register.
- If you have any questions regarding DBS eligibility or safeguarding requirements, please contact the British Wrestling Safeguarding Team.
Other Useful Updates
Safeguarding is being strengthened, and it matters for everyone working with children in sport and physical activity settings. These changes come through the Crime and Policing Act/Bill (2025–2026). New laws make reporting child sexual abuse a legal duty, while changes to DBS rules mean more roles will be eligible for higher level of DBS checks.
Below are important updates around safeguarding:
- Updates to reporting sexual abuse and DBS checks – NSPCC Sport
- Download factsheets on DBS changes – what you need to do and where to get help.
- Regulated activity: removal of the supervision exemption (comes into force 1 September 2026) – GOV.UK
- Crime and Policing Act 2026: factsheets – GOV.UK
- safeguarding-update-2026-mandatory-reporting-4.pdf
- Updates to reporting sexual abuse and DBS checks
If you have any questions, please contact our Safeguarding Lead: Andreas Michaelas – amichaelas@britishwrestling.org
