Ask Our Experts

Expert answers to your questions about working with children professionally. Topics include qualifications, legal requirements, career paths and workplace concerns.

Can a 17 Year Old Look After a Child?

A 17 year old can look after a child if they pass DBS checks and have proper supervision, though their emotional maturity needs careful consideration.

Do Foreign Children Have a Right to a Classroom Assistant?

Foreign children in UK schools aren't automatically entitled to a classroom assistant, but exploring options with your school can help.

How Do I Start My Career as a Family Support Worker?

If you've worked with children, you can move into family support work by building on that experience and getting relevant qualifications.

How to Run a Respite Care Programme?

Set up a respite care programme by understanding how UK funding actually works and what funders really want from you.

POCA: Implications for Instructors and Members?

How the Protection of Children Act affects drumming groups and other voluntary organisations that work with kids.

Should Sports Studio Instructors Be DBS Checked?

Whether sports instructors should undergo DBS checks depends on their access to vulnerable people and safeguarding responsibilities.

Start a Creche from Home?

Running a home crèche means registering with Ofsted and meeting 14 National Standards covering everything from safety to child protection.

What Kind of Qualifications Are Needed?

Get the CACHE NVQ Level 3 qualification to work with children, whether you're starting out or already in a role.

Will My Depression Stop Me from Working with Children?

Depression alone won't stop you from working with children if you're in treatment and honest with employers about your recovery.

Youth Club: What Are Legal Child to Adult Ratios?

Child-to-adult ratios for youth clubs vary by age group, with stricter requirements for younger children and more flexibility as kids get older.