What’s going on in the sector? Four Updates Children’s Activity Providers Need to Know
If you run a children’s activity business, keeping up with what’s happening in the wider sector can sometimes feel like a full-time job in itself.
One minute you’re worrying about bookings, staffing and the next holiday camp. The next you’re reading about government funding, new safeguarding campaigns and changes to the way children will use social media.
And the truth is, you don’t need to know every single thing that’s happening.
But there are some developments that are worth knowing about.
So, every now and again, we’re going to pull together the things we’ve spotted that we think could be relevant to you and your business.
No waffle. No political rabbit holes. Just the bits we think you might want to put on your radar.
Here are four from this week…
1. £22.5m investment to expand children’s enrichment activities
This one caught my eye.
The government has announced £22.5 million for more than 400 secondary schools in disadvantaged communities through the new Enrichment Expansion Programme.
The funding will help schools expand activities including sport, music, debating, volunteering, outdoor learning and engineering clubs. Support for participating schools will begin from January 2027.
The programme is being delivered with the Youth Sport Trust and national partners, with support designed to help schools identify gaps in their enrichment offer and connect with relevant provision.
Why does this matter to you?
Well, this could be a pretty interesting opportunity for Children’s Activity Providers.
If you offer sport, outdoor activities, creative activities, education or other forms of enrichment, it’s worth keeping an eye on which schools are involved and how the programme develops.
Start thinking now about which local schools might be relevant, what you could offer them and how you might position yourself as a potential delivery partner.
It’s early days, but there could be some really interesting opportunities here.
🔗 Read the government announcement
2. 42 new Young Futures Hubs announced
The government has also announced 42 new Young Futures Hubs across England.
These hubs are intended to bring together support around areas including mental health, employment, skills and crime prevention, alongside open access to sports, creative activities and youth work. They will support young people aged 10 to 18, and up to 25 for those with SEND.
This one is perhaps less directly commercial than the enrichment funding above.
But it is still worth having on your radar.
Why?
Because it signals continued investment in local youth provision and community-based activities.
If your business offers sport, creative activities, skills, mentoring or other services for young people, there may be opportunities for partnership working or commissioning as these hubs develop.
Again, I wouldn’t be rushing off to reinvent your business because of this announcement!
But I would be keeping an eye on what’s happening locally.
🔗 Read the Young Futures Hubs announcement
3. DBS launches campaign aimed at parents hiring self-employed children’s activity providers
This one is particularly relevant to many Children’s Activity Providers.
The Disclosure and Barring Service has launched its Every Check Helps campaign, encouraging parents and carers to consider DBS information when hiring self-employed workers such as sports coaches, tutors and music teachers.
The campaign makes the point that DBS information should be considered alongside references, qualifications, experience and personal judgement when making safer recruitment decisions.
And this is one I’d pay attention to.
If you use self-employed instructors or independent providers, parents may increasingly be asking questions about DBS checks and safeguarding.
Which means it’s worth making sure you’re confident about what you do and, just as importantly, how you communicate it.
Don’t make parents have to dig around for this information.
If you’ve got strong safeguarding processes, tell them.
If your instructors have the appropriate checks, explain that clearly.
If you have policies and procedures in place, make them visible.
Good safeguarding isn’t just something you should be doing behind the scenes. It’s also something parents need to be able to see and understand.
A little ICAP reminder: If you haven’t already, make sure you complete the ICAP Quality Assurance Rating System. It’s a great way to check that you’ve got the key safeguarding, DBS and compliance processes in place — and that nothing important has slipped through the cracks.
Complete the ICAP Quality Assurance Rating System
4. Further detail on proposed under-16 social media restrictions
And finally, something slightly different.
The government has published further detail on its plans to restrict social media access for under-16s.
The current plans are expected to come into force in Spring 2027, with the first regulations expected to be laid before Parliament by the end of 2026. The proposals also include restrictions around features such as livestreaming and strangers contacting children, alongside stronger age-assurance requirements.
This isn’t something that’s going to change the way you run your children’s activity business tomorrow morning.
But it is worth knowing about.
Because the children and families we work with are living in this world.
And changes to how young people use social media could have wider implications for communication, marketing, community building and the way children interact with one another.
There’s still plenty of detail to come, so this is very much one to watch rather than worry about.
🔗 Read the government’s latest guidance
So, what’s the takeaway?
If I had to pick one thing for you to pay particular attention to this week, it would be the £22.5 million enrichment programme.
There is potentially a real opportunity here for activity providers who can help schools deliver the kinds of activities being encouraged.
So, have a think.
Which schools in your area might be involved?
What could you offer them?
And, importantly, do they know you exist?
The DBS campaign is also a useful reminder that safeguarding is becoming increasingly visible to parents when they’re deciding who to trust with their children.
And the social media changes? Keep them on the radar. You don’t need to become an expert in the legislation, but it’s worth understanding what’s happening.
There’s a lot happening, and you don’t need to keep up with every single announcement that comes along.
That’s partly what we’re here for.
But it is worth keeping an eye on what’s changing around you and asking yourself:
“Could this be relevant to my business?”
Because sometimes a change that looks like it has nothing to do with children’s activity providers can actually open up a new opportunity, give you something important to prepare for, or simply help you understand the world your customers are operating in.
We’ll keep bringing you the things we think are worth knowing about – so you can get on with running your business.
Speak soon,
Dr Jenni
Team ICAP