Regulations stipulate that any paid youth worker who holds one of the recognised qualifications , or  youth support worker who holds one of the recognised qualifications , or is working towards one of the qualifications, is registered with the EWC before they start work for, or on behalf of, a relevant body.

A relevant body means:

1. a local authority in Wales
2. a governing body of a school
3. a further education institution in Wales
4. a voluntary body, to the extent that the youth development services provided for or on behalf of the voluntary body are provided to people in Wales

A youth worker is a person who provides (or wishes to provide) youth development services, and who possesses at least one of the qualifications specified as youth worker.

A Youth Support Worker is a person who provides (or wishes to provide) youth development services, and who possesses at least one of the qualifications specified as youth support worker. 

Youth development services are defined as services:

1. provided mainly to persons who are aged no younger than 11 and no older than 25, and
2. which promote:
   1. the development of the skills or knowledge of such persons
   2. the intellectual, emotional, or social development of such persons

Practitioners wanting to register with the EWC as a qualified youth worker, or as a qualified youth support worker, must evidence they have one of the mandatory qualifications when they apply to register.

Practitioners working toward one of the qualifications listed can apply for provisional registration with the EWC whilst they work towards their qualification.

Please note, Welsh Government amended the regulations in May 2023, which removed level 2 youth support qualifications from the list of eligible qualifications. Subsequently, those qualified to level 2 are no longer eligible to register with the EWC. Those historically registered with the EWC with a level 2 qualification will need to achieve the level 3 qualification before May 2025. Those who do not achieve level 3 will be removed from the register in May 2025.

Qualified youth workers, or qualified youth support workers not regsitered with EWC

If an employer employs an unregistered qualified youth worker or qualified youth support worker to undertake the services defined, they are in breach of the law.

It is possible that an employer will find, that an employee or prospective employee is not registered.

If the youth worker or youth support worker is eligible for registration but has not registered, they cannot start work until they are registered. In such cases, the employer/prospective employer should inform the applicant to apply to register with the EWC.

If a qualified youth worker or qualified youth support worker cannot be registered due to restrictions, they should not be employed.