New Safety Checks for Festival Volunteers Working with Children

Volunteers play a vital role in making children's literary festivals enjoyable and safe. These events bring stories to life and inspire young readers, but they also require careful attention to safeguarding. Recent changes to UK regulations will affect volunteers working or volunteering in activities involving children. Understanding these changes is essential for festival organisers and volunteers to ensure compliance and protect children effectively.

What Are the New Safeguarding Regulations?

From 1 September 2026, the UK government will remove the supervision exemption for regulated activity involving children. This means that anyone working or volunteering in regulated activity with children for more than three days in a 30 day period will need to meet the same safeguarding requirements, regardless of whether they are supervised.

Previously, volunteers who were supervised while working with children did not always need to undergo certain checks, such as a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The removal of this exemption means that all volunteers in regulated activity must be treated equally in terms of safeguarding measures.

What Counts as Regulated Activity with Children?

Regulated activity includes roles where individuals:

• Have contact with children frequently or intensively

• Provide personal care or healthcare to children

• Teach, train, supervise, or provide advice to children

• Manage or supervise those working with children

  
  

At a children's literary festival or children's events within a literary festival that take place for more than three days in a 30 day period, this could include volunteers helping with story sessions, workshops, or activities where they interact directly with children.

These roles do not fall into regulated activity:

• Volunteers who do not work with children at all

• Volunteers who only interact incidentally (e.g., general stewards, ticketing, car parks)

• Volunteers who help with children’s activities but only once or twice, not meeting the “more than 3 days in 30 days” rule

• Volunteers who are present but not supervising or caring (e.g., handing out materials while a qualified leader supervises)
  

These volunteers may still need a basic or standard DBS depending on festival policy, but not the enhanced barred‑list check.

Why Does This Change Matter for Literary Festival Volunteers?

Children’s literary festivals often rely on volunteers to support events, guide children, and assist authors or performers. Many volunteers may currently work under supervision and not require DBS checks. After 1 September 2026, these volunteers will need to meet the same safeguarding standards as unsupervised workers.

This change aims to strengthen child protection by ensuring all adults in contact with children are properly vetted and trained. It reduces the risk of harm by closing gaps where supervision was previously seen as a safeguard.

What Should Festival Organisers Do to Prepare?

Organisers should start planning now to comply with the new rules. Key steps include:

• Review volunteer roles to identify which involve regulated activity with children.

• Update recruitment processes to include DBS checks for all volunteers in regulated activity, regardless of supervision.

• Provide safeguarding training to all volunteers so they understand their responsibilities and how to respond to concerns.

• Communicate changes clearly to volunteers, explaining why the new rules matter and what is expected.

• Keep records of checks and training to demonstrate compliance.

  
  

For example, a volunteer helping run children’s storytelling sessions over more than three days will need a DBS check and safeguarding training, even if they work alongside a staff member.

What Does This Mean for Volunteers?

Volunteers should expect a more thorough safeguarding process. This includes:

• Completing an enhanced DBS check before starting work with children.

• Attending safeguarding training sessions.

• Following clear guidelines on behaviour and reporting concerns.

• Understanding that supervision alone will not exempt them from these requirements.

  
  

Volunteers who are passionate about supporting children’s events will find these measures help create a safer environment for everyone.

Practical Tips for Volunteers and Organisers

• Start early: DBS checks can take several weeks, so begin the process well before the festival.

• Keep communication open: Volunteers may have questions or concerns about the new requirements. Provide clear, supportive information.

• Use safeguarding policies: Have a written safeguarding policy tailored to your festival’s activities and share it with all volunteers.

• Encourage a culture of safety: Promote openness so volunteers feel comfortable raising concerns or asking for help.

• Plan supervision carefully: While supervision won’t replace checks, it remains important for supporting volunteers and ensuring children’s safety.

  
  

Examples of Regulated Activity at a Literary Festival

• Leading or assisting in children’s workshops or craft sessions.

• Helping with children’s author meet-and-greets or Q&A events.

• Supervising children in reading corners or play areas.

• Supporting children during performances or interactive storytelling.

  
  

Each of these roles involves direct contact with children and will require volunteers to meet the new safeguarding standards. But remember, only if it is for three days or more in a 30 day period.

The Bigger Picture: Protecting Children Through Strong Safeguarding

Removing the supervision exemption reflects a commitment to protecting children in all settings. It recognises that supervision alone cannot guarantee safety and that thorough checks and training are essential.

For children’s literary festivals, this means creating a secure space where children can enjoy stories and activities without risk. Volunteers are key to this effort, and understanding the new regulations helps everyone work together to keep children safe.

Volunteers and organisers at children’s literary festivals should view these changes as an opportunity to strengthen their safeguarding practices. By preparing early and embracing the new requirements, festivals can continue to inspire young readers in a safe, welcoming environment. Start reviewing your volunteer roles today and ensure your festival is ready for the new safeguarding rules coming in 2026. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-or-volunteering-in-regulated-activity-with-children/regulated-activity-removal-of-the-supervision-exemption-comes-into-force-1-september-2026