This new piece of legislation hit the headlines today, because it has come to light that parents who are asked by a team coach to regularly transport their child to a game or training session with other children will be required to comply with the new rules.

This comes as no surprise to me. The new regulations are very wide ranging, and will catch these types of examples.

I have been corresponding with the relevant government department about theatre work too. It would seem that a director working with a youth group may well need to comply with the rules, but the fellow actors, who in some senses will have more opportunity to cause harm to children, will not.

From October 2009 there will be criminal penalties for barred individuals who seek or undertake work with vulnerable groups and for organisations who knowingly take them on.

The eligibility criteria for Enhanced CRB checks will be extended to include anyone working in a regulated position.

However, the ISA registrations are not due to start until July 2010.

Those planning youth theatre work (or any other paid or unpaid work in the arts and entertainment sector) for next year will need to take this new law into consideration.