Introduction

There are laws in place to protect children who are of school age and who work part-time or who are involved in entertainment, sporting activities or modelling.
Here you can find out more information to ensure your child is safe.

Many children enjoy getting a part-time job. This could include being a waitress or waiter, working in a shop, a paper round or working in the family business.
Here you can find information about the law, how to apply for a work permit and advice on the sort of work a child can do. It's important that a child has a work permit. Without a work permit a child will be working illegally and without insurance.

What sort of work can a child do?

A young person aged thirteen plus may be employed in light work in one or more of the following specified categories:

• Agricultural or horticultural work
• Delivery of newspapers, journals, leaflets (not collection of any money)
• Shop work including shelf stacking
• Hairdressing salons
• Office or clerical work (not in an industrial premise)
• Car washing by hand in a private residential setting
• Riding stables, kennels or catteries
• Cafe or restaurant (not in a kitchen)

This isn't a complete list.

What sort of work are children not allowed to do?

No young person of any age may be employed in the following:

• In a cinema, theatre, dance hall or nightclub except in connection with a performance given entirely by children
• Be involved in gambling
• To sell or deliver alcohol, cigarettes or medicine
• To deliver milk
• To deliver fuel oils
• In a commercial kitchen (chip shop, takeaway) or in the preparation of food
• To collect or sort refuse
• Be involved in street trading
• Work in a factory or warehouse
• In employment involving exposure to physical, biological or chemical agents
• To collect money or to sell or canvas door to door
• In work involving exposure to adult content
• In telephone sales
• As an attendant or assistant in a fairground or amusement arcade
• Any jobs which may cause harm or injury

This isn't a complete list.

Information for employers

• The law states that those who employ children are responsible for applying for a work permit for a child of school age
• You can apply for a work permit by completing the application form for employment permit
• You must have public and employers liability insurance
• You must prepare a risk assessment for each employee's set of duties, and a copy of this must be given to the parent/carer at the time they sign the application form, giving their permission for the child to be employed
• You must ensure that you train the child for the job and make them aware of any risks which may be involved
• You must supply the child with any necessary safety equipment and clothing
• You must not ask any child to undertake work which hasn't previously been agreed with the child employment office supplying the work permit
• You must ensure the child's welfare at all times whilst in your employment
• You should encourage children to let you know if there's anything that's causing them concern

The basic rules

Under national laws, and Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire Council by-laws, licences can only be issued within strictly defined limits:

• All work must be 'light duties' only
• Children must be at least 13 years old to be employed
• 13-year-olds can only do a job on a specified list
• No child under school leaving age can work before 7am or after 7pm on any day (including school holidays)
• No child can be employed for more than two hours on a school day and certainly not during school hours
• No child can be employed for more than 12 hours in a school week (including the weekend)
• Sunday employment is restricted to two hours only between 7am and 7pm

Saturdays and in school holidays

13-14 year olds

13-14 year olds can work a maximum five hours per day, up to 25 hours in total per week, with a one-hour break after four hours).

15-16 year olds

15-16 year olds can work up to eight hours per day, and 35 hours in total per week, (with a one-hour break after four hours).

Work falling outside these restrictions is illegal and can't be licensed.

All employed children must take two consecutive weeks holiday per year from any form of employment.

Jobs that don't need a licence

Not all work is covered by the law on part-time jobs. Itemised below are examples of part-time jobs that don't require a licence:

• Children doing odd jobs around the house or for neighbours
• Babysitting
• Work experience organised by your child's school

Parents are strongly advised to make sure that they know what their child is responsible for doing, and that they're safe.

Information for parents

• Always ensure that if your child works they have a valid work permit
• If your child doesn't have a work permit they're illegally employed and aren't covered by their employer's insurance
• Always ask to see a copy of the risk assessment so that you're fully aware of the duties your child will be undertaking to ensure that your child's safety and welfare have been considered
• If your child is asked to work hours in excess of those agreed, notify the Child Employment Office
• Remember that your child won't be insured if they work outside the times granted by the Child Employment Office
• If you feel that your child is carrying out duties outside of those agreed, or you have concerns about their safety or welfare at the place of employment, notify the Child Employment Office
• As a parent or carer you should ensure that your child doesn't work without a work permit
• If the Child Employment Office notifies you that the work permit has been revoked, you'll be informed of the reason
• If you allow your child to carry on working without the permit, both you and the employer will be held responsible
• If your child fails to attend school on a regular basis a work permit won't be issued and your child will be unable to undertake part-time work

Visit the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) for information about child employment and child performance.

You can complete the 'Organisation - Young Person's Work Permit EC1' form on the Citizen Portal. In order for us to progress your application, please ensure that the parent/guardian of the child also completes the 'Parent/Guardian Young Person's Work Permit' form located on the Citizen Portal.