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Child employment
Your child may want to work to earn some extra pocket money; here are the rules that apply to children of compulsory school age.
Compulsory school age
Children are of compulsory school age up to the last Friday in June in the academic year of their 16th birthday, after which is the Mandatory School Leaving Age (MSLA) and the child can apply for their National Insurance Number and may work full time.
The youngest age your child can work part-time is 13 years old, with the exception of children involved in television, theatre, modelling or similar activities.
If a child is offered work in these areas, they will need to get a performance licence. Performance licences are issued by the local authority. Before granting a licence the local authority will liaise with the headteacher of the child's school to ensure that the child's education will not suffer should that licence be granted.
Chaperoning
A child taking part in a performance - which can include TV, film, theatre, sporting activities or modelling - will require chaperoning. Chaperones are licensed by the local authority.
Children may not work:
- without an employment permit issued by the education department of the local council
- in any industrial setting eg factory, industrial site etc
- during school hours
- before 7.00 am or after 7.00 pm
- for more than one hour before school
- for more than four hours without taking a break of at least one hour
- in any occupations prohibited by local by-laws or other legislation eg pubs, betting shops
- in any work that may be harmful to their health, well-being or education
- without having a two week break from any work during the school holidays in each calendar year
Term time
During term time children may work a maximum of 12 hours per week, of which:
- a maximum of two hours on school days and Sundays
- a maximum of five hours on Saturdays for 13 to 14 year olds, or eight hours for 15 to 16 year olds
School holidays
During school holidays 13 to 14 year olds may work a maximum of 25 hours per week, of which:
- a maximum of five hours on weekdays and Saturdays
- a maximum of two hours on Sunday
During school holidays 15 to 16 year olds may work a maximum of 35 hours per week, of which:
- a maximum of eight hours on weekdays and Saturdays
- a maximum of two hours on Sunday
National minimum wage
The national minimum wage is £4.77 an hour for 18 to 21 year olds and £5.73 an hour for 22 year olds and over. 16 to 17 year olds (who are older than Mandatory School Leaving Age) receive £3.53 an hour.
Apprentices under the age of 19 are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage, and neither are apprentices who are 19 or over during the first 12 months of their apprenticeship.
Employers
Employers must inform the education department of their local council that they have employed a school-aged child. If satisfied with the arrangements, the council will issue the child with an employment permit. A child is not insured without one.
Children do not need a work permit for work experience that his/her school arranges.
Local by-laws list the jobs that 13 year olds can do. No 13 year old can work in a job that doesn't appear on the list. Local by-laws may place further restrictions on the hours and conditions of work and the nature of employment. For help and advice or to apply for a work permit contact the education department of your local council or education welfare service.
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