Children in 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.  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 is 13 years old, although there are some exceptions:

• children involved in television, theatre, modelling or similar activities (a performance licence is required)
• children aged 10 or over may be employed on an occasional basis by and under the direct supervision of a parent in light agricultural work or horticultural work

Children may not work:

• without an employment permit issued by the education department of their local council (external link)
• 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

Employers

Employers must inform the education department of their local council (external link) 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.