New employer checks 'threaten paper rounds and work experience'

New checks on employers could "dramatically reduce the number of work experience placements" available to schoolchildren, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.

Under the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) scheme, due to launch on 12 October 2009, anyone who is employed to work in 'regulated' activity with children or vulnerable adults will need to register with the ISA. The fee for doing so will be £64.

In a letter to Ed Balls, secretary of state for children, schools and families, the FSB said that the "cost and administration burdens involved would prevent many small businesses from offering work experience."

"Work experience placements enable schoolchildren to appreciate how business operate, the range of opportunities available and the skills required," said John Wright, FSB national chairman. "Our fear is that fewer and fewer employers will be willing to offer work experience placements once this scheme is introduced."

The ISA scheme is based on a recommendation by Sir Michael Bichard, chair of the Soham murders inquiry. It maintains a register listing potential employees and volunteers who have been checked and found to pose no known risk to vulnerable groups.