Explanatory note

These Regulations bring into force a provision of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (c. 20) (“the 2026 Act”). These are the second commencement regulations made under the 2026 Act.

Regulation 2 brings into force section 139 (safeguarding vulnerable groups: regulated activity) of the 2026 Act. Section 139 removes the provisions within Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (c. 47) which take supervised roles out of regulated activity in the child workforce. This means that those who work closely and frequently with children in England and Wales are in regulated activity, whether they are supervised or not. Being in regulated activity means that these roles can be subject to, and eligible for, the highest-level DBS check (enhanced with check of the children’s barred list) in line with the high level of risk to children involved in the role, and subject to the requirements attendant to individuals and employers in regulated activity.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this statutory instrument as impact assessments were produced in relation to the 2026 Act. Copies can be obtained from the Home Office at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF, or from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crime-and-policing-bill-2025-impact-assessments.