Your child may want to work to earn some extra pocket money; here are the rules that apply to children of compulsory school age.

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 ). A child is then legally permitted to work full time.
It is important to understand that possession of a National Insurance number does not mean that the child/young person can leave school and work full time.

The youngest age your child can work part-time is 13 years old, with the exception of children involved in television, theatre, modelling or similar activities.

If you require further information regarding child licensing please contact the Child Employment Officer.

Children may not work:

• without an employment permit issued by the education department of the local council
• 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
• National minimum wage

Chaperoning

A child taking part in a performance - which can include TV, film, theatre, sporting activities or modelling - will require chaperoning. Chaperones are licensed by Child Employment Officer.

Please follow this link to view and download all guidance publications and application forms for child employment, child licensing and chaperoning.

If a child is offered work in these areas, they will need to get a performance licence. Performance licences are issued by the our Child Employment Officer.
Before granting a licence the officer will need to liaise with the headteacher of the child's school to ensure that the child's education will not suffer should that licence be granted.