• Services and Support
• Children in employment

Children in employment

Employment of young people of school age

The employment of young people is subject to a number of regulations, in particular:

• Childrens and Young Persons Act 1933 to 1963
• Education Acts 1944 to1996
• Children Act 1989
• Children (Protection at Work) Regulations 1988
• Islington Byelaws 1998

All young people who are employed are required to have a work permit issued by us that approves the particular hours and type of employment. Guidance leaflet.

Depending on a young person’s age, the type of work and the hours of work, which they may undertake, are limited.

Examples of work usually approved

• Newspaper delivery
• Shop work
• Office work
• Restaurant or café work (not involving cooking)
• Working in hairdressing salons etc.

Examples of work never approved

• Work in commercial kitchens
• Work in amusement arcades
• Cooking food
• Selling goods on the street
• Delivering milk
• Work in a cinema, theatre or club

No young person under the age of 13 may be employed.

Additionally no young person under the age of 14 may engage in street trading. A young person over 14 may do so only if their parent employs them and a street trades’ licence has been granted.

Applying for a work permit

CEA@islington Education Welfare Service will issue a work permit on receipt of the application form, which has been signed by both the employer and the parent.

The Education Welfare Service must be satisfied that the young person’s health, welfare and ability to take full advantage of their education would not be jeopardised by undertaking the work.

On request for a work permit, an application form is sent either directly to the employer or via the young person to the employer.

The application form is completed in full by the employer who must then send the form to the parent of the young person to sign to indicate that they are in agreement.

The application form will then be returned to the EWS. Three passport size photographs are needed.

A work permit will then be issued to the young person once the work is approved.

The permit will contain the following information:

• The name, address and date of birth of the young person
• A photograph of the young person
• The hours of employment including breaks
• The nature of employment
• The place of employment

The permit must be produced for inspection when required by an authorised officer.

The Headteacher will be advised when a work permit has been issued.

Remember – unless a young person is registered he/she may not be covered by the employer’s liability insurance.

Hours of Work

Under 13 years old – all work is prohibited

Ages 13 & 14

On school days

• Not more than 2 hours a day.
• Either 1 hour before school and 2 hours after or 2 hours after school

Saturdays and Holidays

• Maximum of 5 hrs between 7am and 7pm

Sundays

• Maximum of 2 hrs between 7am and 7pm

May not exceed 25 hours a week in holiday period.

Ages 15 & 16

School days

• Not more than 2 hours a day
• Either 1 hour before school and 1 hour after or 2 hours after school

Saturday and Holidays

• Maximum of 8 hrs between 7am and 7pm

Sundays

• Maximum of 2 hrs between 7am and 7pm

Additionally:

• A rest break of 1 hour must occur after 4 hours of working.
• There must be 2 consecutive weeks of holiday each year.

For further advice, help and an application form please contact: