Pretty much everyone who wants to work face-to-face with young people is legally required to undergo a criminal records check. Under guidance, any person whose normal duties involve regular contact with young people under 18 will need government approval before they can start working.
This includes full-time and part-time staff as well as regular volunteers and those who provide services to young people. Back-office support workers in youth organisations, such as administrators, are usually exempt, as long as they do not regularly come into contact with young people in their daily roles.
An exemption exists for occasional volunteers too. For example, if a parent offers to help out on a one-off basis for a day trip they wouldn't be required to undergo a check first. But the organisation would have to ensure that they are not left unsupervised with the young people at any time. Most youth projects, however, prefer to err on the side of caution and check everyone's backgrounds before they come into contact with young people.
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