It's the responsibility of the employer to apply for this work permit and provide us with the times you want to employ the child; a list of tasks that the child will do, together with a risk assessment in relation to these tasks.
Part-time work that children of school age can do
A child of 13 years and older is only allowed to do light work. This work must not be harmful to their safety, health and development and must not interfere with their education.
Any employment of a school aged child in a "trade or occupation carried on for profit" is illegal without a work permit being issued by the local authority. This includes parents employing their own children in their family-run business, even if they are not paid.
Examples of work a child could be licenced for:
- paper rounds / leaflet delivery
- shop work (including charity shops)
- cleaning
- work on farms
- clerical / office work
- waiting at tables
This is not an exhaustive list.
Restrictions on what part-time work a child of 13 years and older can do
No child of school age can work in a:
- cinema, theatre or disco, dance hall or night club
- commercial kitchen (working with food, including chip shops and takeaway establishments)
- slaughter house, butchery or prepare meat for sale
- fairground, amusement arcade or premises with game and gambling machines
- collect or sort refuse
- work more than 3 metres off the ground or with harmful chemicals
- work where there is access to adult material unsuitable for children
- be responsible for the personal needs of residents in care or nursing homes
- sell or deliver alcohol (except in sealed containers)
- deliver milk or fuel oils
- collect money, sell or canvas door to door or by telephone
This is not an exhaustive list.
If you want to employ a child in Derbyshire
You must:
- adhere to the byelaws, set out by us regulating the employment of children
- carry out a risk assessment which takes into account the child’s age and maturity
- tell the children’s parents about any risks and measures put in place to protect children from these. The employer must have the parent's consent and their agreement that their child is fit to do part-time work
- apply to us for a work permit, for each child you wish to employ - the employer must notify us within a week of a child starting work, by completing an application form in full, which includes the hours of employment and suitable risk assessment covering the child’s job duties
Working hours for a child of 13 years and older
Term-time rules
No child can work during school hours or work more than 12 hours in any one week during term time.
This includes:
- a maximum of 2 hours on school days (either 1 hour before and after school or 2 hours after school)
- a maximum of 5 hours on Saturdays for 13 and 14-year-olds
- a maximum of 8 hours for 15 and 16-year-olds
- a maximum of 2 hours on Sundays
School holiday rules
During school holidays 13 and 14 year-olds can work a maximum of 25 hours a week. This includes:
- a maximum of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
- a maximum of 2 hours on Sundays
During school holidays 15 and 16-year-olds can work a maximum of 35 hours a week. This includes:
- a maximum of 8 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
- a maximum of 2 hours on Sundays
General rules
- a child under 13 years old cannot work
- a child cannot work before 7am or after 7pm on any day
- a child cannot work for more than 4 hours without taking a break of at least 1 hour
- no school aged child can work during the school day
- a child must have 2 consecutive work-free weeks each year to be taken during the school holidays
Jobs that don't need a licence
Not all work is covered by the law on part-time jobs. Some examples of part-time jobs that do not require a licence are:
- children doing odd jobs around the house or for neighbours.
- babysitting
- work experience organised by your child's school.
Parents are strongly advised they know what their child is responsible for doing and that they are safe.
What should you do if your child wants to work?
- satisfy yourself the job is safe for your child - a paper round on dark mornings or nights may not be suitable.
- satisfy yourself the employer is reputable, and the job is legal.
- ensure the employer applies for a work permit and obtains your signature.
- raise any concerns you may have with the employer.
- make sure your child has a work permit to work until they are old enough to leave school - in most cases this will be after they become 16!
School leaving age
From 1998 onwards, all children reach school-leaving age on the same date, no matter when they are 16. They can leave school on the last Friday in June if they’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
The arrival of a National Insurance Number does not mean they can get a job straight away. Any full-time employment before the leaving date would be an offence by the employer, and all part-time employment until then must be covered by a work permit issued by the local authority.
Most young people stay on in education for either sixth form or college (year 12 onwards). From then on, a work permit is not required, and the child employment regulations no longer apply, even if they stay on at a school for sixth form. Parents should, however, try to ensure that their children can cope with both studies and a part-time job. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any guidance on employment of children who are no longer compulsory school age.
Removal of work permit
A work permit can be revoked if:
- the work a child is doing is illegal
- we believe that the child's health, wellbeing or education is suffering
For further information please email cs.ewscee@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01629 537859.