Knowledge Centre

Child Employment: A guide for employers

Children and young people of school age can work part-time provided they have a valid Work Permit.  A part-time or holiday job can be a good experience for children, providing them with work experience and employability skills while also earning a wage.

However, there are laws and byelaws governing child employment to safeguard children from harm or exploitation, and to ensure that their education does not suffer.

This information aims to answer any questions that you as an employer may have about child employment and how to apply for a work permit.

How old does a child need to be before they can work?

  • Children must be at least 13 years old before they are allowed to work
  • They must have a work permit – even if they are unpaid, or work for a relative – including on a family farm
  • A permit is required until the last Friday in June of the academic year in which they become 16 years of age

What hours are children permitted to work?

A young person:

  • cannot work before 7am or after 7pm
  • cannot work more than two hours on a Sunday

There are further restrictions regarding total hours in a week, which vary with age.  Details of permitted working hours are listed on the application form.

What kind of jobs are children permitted to do?

Children aged 13 may only be employed in occupations below:

  • Agricultural or horticultural work
  • Delivering newspapers
  • Shop work
  • Hairdressers
  • Office work
  • Café or restaurant
  • Riding stables
  • Domestic work in hotels or other establishments offering accommodation
  • Delivering newspapers

From the age of 14, children may be employed in work from the above list and other light work, which does not risk their safety, health and wellbeing or development.

What roles are children not permitted to do? 

Some roles are prohibited for young people of any age.  These include:

  • Work in a cinema, theatre, dance hall or night club
  • Sell or deliver alcohol
  • Work in a commercial kitchen
  • Work involving being more than three metres off the ground
  • Collect money or sell door to door
  • Telephone sales
  • Work in a slaughterhouse, abattoir or involvement in the preparation of meat for sale
  • Work in a fairground or amusement arcade
  • Work in ‘personal care’ in a residential or nursing home

This is not a complete list.  If you have any doubt regarding employment you are offering a child, please seek our advice.

Who is responsible for applying for a work permit?

  • It is the joint responsibility of the employer and parent/carer to complete the application form
  • Work permits can be applied for before the child begins work, but should be submitted no later than one week after the child starting employment

Is there a charge for a work permit application?

There is no charge to employers for a permit or for processing a permit.

What are my responsibilities as Employer?

  • Ensure relevant insurance cover
  • Undertake and document a comprehensive risk assessment of the work involved. A copy of this should be shared and discussed with the child and parent/guardian.
  • Ensure that suitable clothing and footwear are worn
  • Provide appropriate training and ensure the child understands what is expected of them

What is the Child Employment application process? 

Please download an application form from the council where your business is located:

Can an Employer be prosecuted?

If a school age child is found to be working without a permit, the employer may be prosecuted and fined.

Where can I get further information?

For more information, please contact the council where your business is located:

Cumberland Council

Contact Paula Nixon: childemployment@cumberland.gov.uk

www.cumberland.gov.uk/child-employment

Westmorland & Furness Council

Contact Yvette Jackson: childemployment@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Access and Inclusion – Child Employment | Westmorland and Furness Council