Children face safeguarding risks in Wales by unregistered people working with children, according to this report by the Interim Youth Work Board for Wales. It calls for change so everyone working with young people must register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC).
Currently, workers in certain settings such as independent schools and private organisations do not need to register. There are about 78,000 people registered with the EWC.
They fall into categories such as teachers and support staff at local authority-maintained schools and further education colleges, youth workers and those involved in work-based learning.
A youth worker generally means someone who has a qualification, and works in areas such as council or voluntary-led services with 11 to 25-year-olds, in youth clubs, or tackling issues such as homelessness or mental health problems.
However, those working with young people in settings such as housing associations, faith organisations and privately-run initiatives do not need to register.