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, they 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 a new window)
Employment of Children Risk Assessment Help (pdf 12kb opens in a new window)
Top of page
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 |
Earliest finish time
|
19:00pm |
19:00pm |
19:00pm |
19:00pm |
19:00pm |
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 a new window)
Top of page
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 a new window)
Top of page
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 a new window)
Top of page
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 a new window)
Top of page
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 a new window)
Top of page
Please download the following leaflet for general guidance about children in entertainment.
Children in entertainment - general guidance (pdf 567kb opens in a new window)
Top of page
