Education and Child Matters

I AM L.I.P

I am a Litigant In Person

Child Employment

 

This webpage will give a general overview about child employment. Please contact your local authority for local bylaws and exceptions when the details of this webpage do not apply to your child. 

HOW OLD DOES A CHILD HAVE TO BE TO WORK IN THE UK?

PART TIME

A child can work part time in the UK from the age of 13 years. 

If a child under 16 years of age works in theatre, modelling, media, television, concerts, and films they will need to have a performance licence.

FULL TIME

A child may only work full time (up to 40 hours a week) when they enter school leaving age. A child can leave school on the last Friday of the month of June if they will reach the age of 16 years by the end of the summer holidays. 

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SCHOOL LEAVING AGE 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR THE LEGAL AGE OF A CHILD IN COMPULSARY UK EDUCATION

HOW CAN YOU GET A PERFORMANCE LICENCE FOR A CHILD?

As stated above if your child is under 16 years of age and wants to work in entertainment, films, theatres, and television at venues and premises which are licenced for entertainment then the individual or company in charge of the event or programme must apply for a child performance licence from the child’s local authority. 

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR CHILD PERFORMANCE LICENCE

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR APPLYING FOR CHILD PERFORMANCE LICENCE. 

A premises licence is issued by your local authority.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR LICENCE PREMISES (ENGLAND AND WALES)

WHAT IS A CHILD EMPLOYMENT PERMIT?

A child under 16 years of age who is doing work experience organised by their school does not need to have a work permit.

Any business that intends to employ a child under 16 years of age must apply to their local authority education department for a child employment permit. 

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR AN OVERVIEW OF CHILD EMPLOYMENT PERMITS

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR LOCAL COUNCIL RULES FOR CHILD EMPLOYMENT PERMITS

WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS ON CHILD EMPLOYMENT?

There are many rules and regulations that govern employing a child. They are:

  1. The child cannot work during school hours
  2. The child cannot work above 4 hours without a break of 1 hour. 
  3. A child cannot work before 7am in the morning
  4. A child cannot work after 7pm in the evening
  5. A child cannot work on an industrial site
  6. A child cannot work in a factory.
  7. During term time a child can only work for 2 hours a day on school days and Sunday – a maximum of 12 hours a week. 
  8. On Saturday a child aged 13 – 14 years of age can work for up to 5 hours.
  9. On Saturday a child aged 15 – 16 years of age can work for up to 8 hours. 
  10. During school holidays a child aged 13 – 14 years of age can work 25 hours a week (5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays and 2 hours on Sunday)
  11. During school holidays a child aged 15 – 16 years of age can work 35 hours a week (8 hours on weekdays and Saturdays and 2 hours on Sunday)

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE RESTRICTIONS ON CHILD EMPLOYMENT.

HOW MUCH CAN A CHILD BE PAID?

A child under 16 years of age does not have to get paid the national minimum wage that adults above 18 years are entitled to. 

Children under 16 years of age do not pay national insurance.

Children under 16 years of age have a personal allowance. If they do not reach this personal allowance with their wages then the employer does not have to include them in their payroll.

Children aged 16 – 17 years if age will need to be included in the payroll and if they earn over a certain amount then deductions need to be made.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR PERSONAL ALLOWANCE

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR PAYING CHILDREN WAGES