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Child employment

Information on can your child undertake part-time work, restrictions on hours, working during school hours, types of work, licenses that you need and who is responsible for the child.

Can a child undertake part-time work?

The laws governing child employment exists to ensure that children do so safely and free from exploitation. If you are employing or thinking of employing any 13–16 year olds, or you are the parent or carer of a school age child who wants to work part-time, you must be aware that:

  • all young people of compulsory school age who work part-time must be registered with the local education authority and have a work permit;
  • all young people who work or assist in a trade or occupation which is carried out for profit purposes are considered to be employed even if they receive no payment for that assistance;
  • the young person must carry their work permit with them when working;
  • the employer is responsible for the health and safety of the child while at work;
  • there are limits to the times and days that children can work;
  • and there are limits to the types of employment that children are allowed to do.

If you are an employer who employs young people of compulsory school age, you must ensure they have a work permit.

Also, you must complete a risk assessment for their work. It is your responsibility to ensure you are employing young people legally - failure to do so may result in legal proceedings.

The following pdf documents provide information about child employment.

Child Employment Guidance (pdf 434kb opens in new window)

Employment of Children Risk Assessment Help (pdf 12kb opens in new window)

Are there any restrictions on the hours that a child can work?

Yes. Please see the table below.

 

Permitted hours of work
  Daily limit (hours)
Daily limit (hours)
Daily limit (hours)
Weekly limit (hours)
Weekly limit (hours)
  School day
 Saturdays and school holidays
 Sunday (school terms or holidays)
During term time
 During school holidays
Children under 15
 2  5  2 12 per week
25 per week
Children 15 and over
 2  8  2 12 per week
35 per week
Earliest start time
 7:00am   7:00am   7:00am   7:00am   7:00am
Latest finish time
7:00pm  7:00pm  7:00pm  7:00pm  7:00pm

 


The following pdf document is a detailed guide for parents, carers, employers, schools and pupils of the child employment rights.

Child Employment Leaflet (pdf 436kb opens in new window) 

Can a child work during school hours?

No. Employment can not impede the education of a child, this also applies to children who are electively home educated.

Young people of compulsory school age, you must ensure they have a work permit and you must complete a risk assessment for their work. It is also your responsibility to ensure you are employing young people legally.

Failure to do so may result in legal proceedings.

The following pdf document is an application that should be filled out by a parent or guardian upon a child being employed.

Employment of Children Application Form (pdf 74kb opens in new window) 

What type of work are children permitted to undertake?

 

What permitted employment includes and not include
 Permitted employment includes
 Non permitted employment includes
Agricultural and horticultural work * In cinemas, discos and night clubs **
Delivering newspapers Milk delivery
Shop work Selling alcohol in a pub or restaurant
Hairdressing salons Fuel oil delivery
Office work Slaughter houses or meat preparation
Riding stables, kennels and catteries Attend/assist at a fairground or amusement arcade
Car washing in a private residential setting Personal care in a residential or nursing home
Domestic work in hotels In a commercial kitchen
Restaurant and café work Collecting money or selling door-to-door

 


*some types of work can only be done from 14 years

**unless the child is licensed to perform there

Further details on permitted types of employment can be obtained from education.welfare@eastriding.gov.uk.

The following pdf document is an application that should be filled out by a parent or guardian upon a child being employed.


Employment of Children Application Form (pdf 74kb opens in new window) 

If my child is in employment what licenses do I/they need?

All young people of compulsory school age who work part-time must be registered with the local education authority and have a work permit. The following pdf document is an application that should be filled out by a parent or guardian upon a child being employed.

Employment of Children Application Form (pdf 74kb opens in new window)

Who is responsible for the child whilst they are working?

Both employers and parents or carers are responsible for ensuring that each child:

  • carries a work permit

  • works only the hours stated on the work permit

  • carries out only the employment stated on the work permit

  • has adequate and appropriate clothing for the work to be undertaken

  • is in a good state of health for the work they are undertaking.

 
If you have any doubts as to the suitability of the workplace, please contact education.welfare@eastriding.gov.uk.

Employers are responsible for carrying out a Young Persons' Risk Assessment in relation to the Health and Safety Regulations (Young Persons Regulations 1997) and providing comprehensive and relevant information to the person with parental responsibility. Appropriate insurance cover must also be in place.

The following pdf document is an application that should be filled out by a parent or guardian upon a child being employed.

Employment of Children Application Form (pdf 74kb opens in new window)

Is there any general guidance available for children in entertainment?

Please download the following leaflet for general guidance about children in entertainment.

Children in entertainment - general guidance (pdf 142kb opens in new window)