Children in Part-time Jobs
Many children work part-time. It can be a helpful source of extra money and good preparation for the future. But many jobs are illegal without a licence from the Education Authority. This guide explains the law and how parents, employers and the LEA can work together to make sure children are safe at work.
Not all work is covered by the law on part-time jobs
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children doing odd jobs around the house or for neighbours
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babysitting and other work for individuals or families
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work experience organised by your child's school
These do not need a licence.
Parents are advised to keep an eye on what children and young people are doing. Late nights babysitting can affect school work the next day. There is no legal minimum age to be a babysitter but parents should be cautious about allowing children under 16 to do it.
Any employment of a school aged child (up to the END of year 11) in a "trade or occupation carried on for profit" is illegal without a licence. This includes parents employing their own children in their business, even if they are not paid, for example:
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paper rounds
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shop work
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cleaning
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work on farms
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clerical/office work
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leaflet delivery
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waiting at table
Some work cannot be licensed at all and cannot be legally done by school-age children, including any work in factories, on building sites, transport, serving alcohol, milk delveries, sorting refuse or working with food in commercial kitchens (including chip shops and take-aways). This is not the complete list.
Under national laws and Staffordshire County Council by-laws, licences can only be issued within strictly defined limits:
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All work must be "light duties" only only
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Children must be at least 13 to be employed
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13 year olds can only do a job on a specified list
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No child under school leaving age can work before 7am or after 7pm on any day (including school holidays)
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No child can be employed for more than 2 hours on a school day and certainly not during school hours
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No child can be employed for more than 12 hours in a school week (including the weekend)
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Sunday employment is restricted to 2 hours only between 7am and 7pm
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On Saturdays and in school holidays 13/14 year olds can work a maximum 5 hours per day; 15/16 year olds can work up to 8 hours (with a one hour break after no more than four hours)
Work falling outside these restrictions is illegal and cannot be licensed.
The employer must complete an application form, available from the Education Welfare Service within one week of the child commencing work. Temporary permission for the child to start work will usually be given if the legal requirements are met. The form needs the signature of a parent as well as the employer, so your child cannot have a legal job without your knowledge or consent.
These rules are intended to protect children from exploitation, ensure that their education does not suffer and keep them safe.
It may seem safe, but if the work isn't licensed, it's illegal.
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Satisfy yourself the job is safe for your child - a paper round on dark mornings or nights may not be suitable
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Satisfy yourself the employer is reputable and the job is legal
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Ensure the employer applies for a licence and obtains your signature
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If you are the employer as well as the parent, make sure you get a licence if required
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Raise any concerns you may have either with the employer or the Education Welfare Service
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Make sure your child has a licence to work until they are old enough to leave school - in most cases this will be after they become 16!
Children also need a licence to appear in any professional show, film, TV programme etc (though not for amateur productions). Time off from school for rehearsals and performances cannot be granted unless a licence has been obtained from the Education Authority by the person responsible for the performance.
Contact: (01785) 278927
From 1998 onwards all children in Year 11 reach school-leaving age on the same date, no matter when they are 16. This is the last Friday in June.
Even if your child is 16 at the very beginning of the school year, he/she cannot leave school until this date.
No child can leave school at Christmas or Easter. 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 till then must be licensed by the LEA.
The government intends that all children should have the opportunity to take GCSE examinations in May/June so no-one can cease to be of compulsory school age before the exams have finished.
Most young people stay on at school or college after Year 11. Your child does not have to leave unless they want to. From then on, no employment licence is needed and the child employment regulations no longer apply, even if they stay on at school. Parents should, however, try to ensure that their children can cope with both studies and a part-time job.
For more information or for an application form for a license, contact the Education Welfare Service on 01785 278965 and ask for the child employment section.
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