Child Employment - Work Permit Application

Required documents/information before proceeding: 

  • A signed letter from a parent/guardian confirming they're happy with the employment. 
  • A completed risk assessment. - Please download before proceeding.
  • Liability insurance 
  • Child's details e.g. name, address, telephone etc
  • Parents details e.g. name, contact information
  • School details e.g. name, contact information

Please have these available before completing the form, as the form will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity. 

Summary of regulations:

  • No child can be employed under the age of 13
  • A young person must hold a work permit (Employment Card) for each employment
  • The employer must make an application for a work permit within one week of employing a young person
  • Each year all young people must have a 2 week period free from employment during their school holidays

Hours of Employment (Age 13-14)

No child shall be employed during school hours, or before 7 am or after 7 pm on any day.

Term Time

  • Maximum 12 hours in a week
  • Maximum of 2 hours on any school day (1 hour before and 1 hour after school or 2 hours after school)
  • Saturday maximum of 5 hours (4 hours and then 1-hour break)
  • Sunday maximum of 2 hours

Holiday

  • Maximum of 25 hours per week
  • Maximum 5 hours per day (4 hours and then 1-hour break)
  • Sunday maximum of 2 hours

13-year-olds may not be employed in any work other than to undertake light work in the following:

  • Cafe
  • Hotel
  • Restaurant
  • Agriculture
  • Horticulture
  • Riding stables
  • Shop work
  • Office work
  • Hairdressing
  • Newspaper delivery
  • Car wash

Please refer to the legislation for the comprehensive list of restrictions.

Hours of Employment (Age 15-16)

No child shall be employed during school hours, or before 7am or after 7pm on any day.

Term Time

  • Maximum 12 hours in a week
  • Maximum of 2 hours on any school day (1 hour before and 1 hour after school or 2 hours after school)
  • Saturday maximum of 8 hours (4 hours and then 1-hour break)
  • Sunday maximum of 2 hours

Holiday

  • Maximum of 35 hours per week
  • Maximum 8 hours per day (4 hours and then 1-hour break)
  • Sunday maximum of 2 hours

Every young person requires a work permit whilst they are of compulsory school age. They are of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June of year 11.

Children cannot work in the following areas:

  • Cinema
  • Theatre
  • Disco
  • Butchers
  • Dance hall
  • Nightclub
  • Milk delivery
  • Fuel oil delivery
  • Refuse collection
  • Telephone sales
  • Money collection
  • Commercial kitchen
  • Delivery or sell alcohol
  • Fairground/amusement arcade
  • 3m above ground

Please refer to the legislation for the comprehensive list of restrictions.