Safeguarding Bulletin 2

REGULATED ACTIVITIES -WORKING WITH CHILDREN
AND VUNERABLE ADULTS - ROTARY GUIDE

A REGULATED ACTIVITY IS DEFINED AS LENGTH AND FREQUENCY OF A PERSON’S CONTACT WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND ALL VULNERBLE ADULTS AND MUST NEVER BE UNDERTAKEN BY PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE UK REGULATORY BARRED LIST.

VARIOUS FUNCTIONS AND LOCATIONS MAY HAVE SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS OF TIME AND FREQUENCY WHICH MAY DIFFER FROM THE GENERAL RULES DEFINING A REGULATED ACTIVITY.

ROTARIANS UNDERTAKE VARIOUS VOLUNTEER ROLES BUT MANY OF THEM INVOLVE PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION (TEACHERS /CARERS ETC) WHO OVERSEE THE ACTIVITY AND AS SUCH THE VOLUNTEERS ARE EXEMPT FROM DBS REGISTRATION -THIS IS NOW CHANGING AS OF SEPTEMBER 1ST 2026.

THE ATTACHED PUBLICATION PROVIDES EXAMPLES OF WHETHER THE NEW REGULATIONS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL ENHANCED DBS.

ROTARY VOLUNTEERS SHOULD REVIEW THEIR CURRENT SPECIFIC INTERFACE WITH THE APPROPRIATE LOCATION /FUNCTION SUPERVISION TO ESTABLISH WHETHER AN ENHANCED DBS CERTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONTINUE UNDERTAKING THE VOLUNTEER ROLE OR CAN BE AVOIDED BASED ON A CHANGE IN ROTARIAN ACTIVITY AND THUS COMPLYING WITH THE LOCATION/FUNCTION GUIDELINES.

IF THE ROTARIAN VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE LOCATION/FUNCTION IS A REQUESTED VOLUNTEERING BY THE HOST THEN THE HOST SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO FUND AND ORGANISE THE ENHANCED DBS

ROTARY RECOMMEND IN OTHER AREAS INVOLVING LIMITED CONTACT WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 (E.G YOUTH SPEAK COMPETITIONS) AND VUNERABLE ADULTS (REFRESHMENTS) TO WORK IN PAIRS (PREFERABLY A MAN AND WOMAN)

ROTARY DO NOT APPROVE ROTARIANS VOLUNTEERING TO DRIVE CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTS OR CARERS IN ATTENDANCE OR UNDERTAKE CLEANLINESS / TOILETRY ACTIVITIES WITH BOTH CHILDREN AND/OR  VUNERABLE ADULTS

ENHANCED DBS APPLICATIONS CAN TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS TO BE APPROVED AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE SPECIFIC IN YOUR REQUEST AS TO THE AREA OF ACTIVITY THE ROTARIAN IS UNDERTAKING IN ORDER TO PROCEED WITH THE APPLICATION

IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT OR NEED FURTHER GUIDANCE PLEASE CONTACT:

MARK EVANS

DISTRICT COMPIANCE OFFICER SOUTHERN WALES

markevans482@outlook.com

Date of Issue 19/8/2026

A pdf version of this page can be downloaded HERE