"Complicated and expensive" new checks on employers could wreck school work experience programmes, a business expert says.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) claims new rules on bosses having their criminal records checked could reduce opportunities for youngsters.
The organisation was responding to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) scheme, which the FSB says involves check-up fees of £64 per supervisor.
"Our fear is that fewer and fewer employers will be willing to offer work experience placements once this scheme is introduced," said FSB national chairman John Wright.
He added he felt the intentions of the scheme were "sound" but called on politicians to find a different way of protecting young people without cutting the opportunities of schoolchildren.
FSB officials have written to Ed Balls, secretary of state for children, schools and families, asking him to re-think the scheme.
The ISA is designed to provide a new vetting service to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults.
