Are children permitted to work?
UK legislation dictates that children under the age of 13 years are not allowed to be employed in any capacity by any person/s and this also includes parents/guardians. Employment includes assistance in any trade or occasion which is carried on for profit, whether or not payment is received for assistance.
Once a child reaches 13 years of age to the end of their compulsory education, they are allowed to work part-time - but within certain constraints.
Children of Compulsory School Age are not allowed to work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm on any day. Once a child is over compulsory school age, registration for work and obtaining an employment permit under this particular legislation no longer applies, even if the child returns to school after this date - for A levels, GNVQ etc.
A child ceases to be of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the academic year they are 16.
For children who are performing in either theatre, modelling and sport or licensed premises please see
Does the child need a work permit?
During a child's first week at work the employer is required to submit a work permit application form in order to legally register the child's employment with the local education authority in whose area the employment takes place.
Note: permission notes from school or parent are not acceptable forms of registration. Registration must take place through a local education authority
Hours and place of work, employer details, child details and in some cases additional requirements will all be listed on the work permit. Work Permits are specific to the child, the employer and the employment.
The employer is required to carry out a risk assessment and supply the parent with a copy. Use the link below to download an example risk assessment form.
How to apply for a work permit
Application forms are available from the contact addresses at the bottom of this page, the relevant school office, or you can download the form using the link below.
It is important that you read Section 1 (Byelaws) first before completing the application form. The employer completes the child's details, hours of employment, type of work and signs the form. The employer passes the form to the child who asks their parent or guardian to sign the form. The form is then forwarded to the child's school office whose staff will arrange for the form to be signed if they agree to the employment.
The form is then forwarded to the child employment officer to process the application. If successful, two copies of the work permit are posted to the employer, one copy should be given to the child.
Are there any regulations on working hours and types of employment?
A full list of types of employment and hours permissible is listed in Section 1 (Byelaws) in the application form above.
Can a work permit be refused?
A permit may be refused by the Local Education Authority if it considers that the employment is detrimental to the child's educational needs, or welfare. The child's attendance rate at school is also a consideration.
Can the work permit be used for more than one job?
If a child has more than one job (whether it is with the same employer, another employer or at a different place of employment) each job needs to be registered separately.
What are the penalties for not having a work permit?
An employer who employs a compulsory school age child without a work permit is in contravention of the child employment regulations and action may be taken against them by the local education authority in whose area the employment takes place. This is applicable to all employers by all local education authorities.
Work experience
For information about Year 10 work experience please contact Connexions using the related link below.
Is there any relevant legislation?
- Children & Young Person Act 1933 s18 (2)20(2) amended by Education Act 1996
- School leaving date for 16 year olds
- Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999
For more information on the above go to the Office of Public Sector Information website using the related link below.
For more information use the contact details on the right.
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