By the Association of Education Business Professionals | 28 October 2026
The new safeguarding rules were written to protect children. Right now, the uncertainty around them is putting work experience placements at risk, and the children the rules are there to protect are the ones who stand to lose out. Lawyers, headteachers and employers are reading the same guidance in different ways, and it is already costing placements.
A rule written to protect children is putting their placements at risk
Since 1 September 2026, the supervision exemption has been removed from the definition of regulated activity with children, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland [1][2]. Anyone who teaches, trains, instructs, cares for or supervises children frequently, on more than three days in any 30-day period, or overnight, is now in regulated activity, even if another adult is watching [1][4].
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) says the legislation does not create a new requirement to carry out DBS checks, and that employers and organisations decide whether a check is appropriate. It also says that roles once treated as outside regulated activity only because of supervision are now eligible for an enhanced check with children’s barred list information [2]. Its list of common misconceptions does not mention work experience [2].
Continue reading “Clear as mud: why work experience needs DfE guidance now”