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Child employment and work permits
Children are considered to be employed if they help in any business that operates for profit. This applies even it's run by their parents, and whether they're paid or not. Children don't need a National Insurance number to work part-time as they're not taxed, but they must hold an employment permit so the work is legal.
We monitor the employment of young people of compulsory school age to make sure the work is legal, safe and doesn't damage or interrupt their education. If their school work, attendance or health suffers, or if they're continually late for school, they may be stopped from working. If you employ a child without a permit, you're breaking child employment legislation and we can take action against you.
What age children can be employed
From age 13 to the end of their compulsory education, children can work part-time subject to conditions around the type of work, time of day, and length of working time. It's illegal for children under the age of 13 to be employed, including by their parent or guardian, no matter what the job is.
When children can work and for how long
Children must not work before 7am or after 7pm. They can only work outside of school hours, which may include one hour before school. During school term time, children aren't allowed to work more than 12 hours a week. They must also have at least two consecutive weeks off during the school holidays.
The table below shows the number of hours children can work on school days, weekends and during holidays. If they work for more than four hours, they must take a break of one hour after four hours of work.
| Day | 13 and 14 year olds | 15 and 16 year olds |
| School days | 2 hours per day | 2 hours per day |
| Saturdays | 5 hours per day | 8 hours per day |
| Sundays | 2 hours per day | 2 hours per day |
| School holidays | 5 hours per day, up to a maximum of 25 hours a week | 8 hours per day, up to a maximum of 35 hours a week |
Types of work children can do
There are restrictions on the type of work children can and can't do.
Types of work children are not allowed to do
Children of any age cannot be employed:
- in a cinema, theatre, discotheque, dance hall or night club, except in connection with a performance given entirely by children
- to sell or deliver alcohol, except in sealed containers
- to deliver milk
- to deliver fuel oils
- in a commercial kitchen
- to collect or sort refuse
- in any work which is more than three metres above ground level, or in the case of internal work, more than three metres above floor level
- in employment involving harmful exposure to physical, biological or chemical agents
- to collect money or to sell or canvass door to door, except under the supervision of an adult
- in work involving exposure to adult material or in situations which are for this reason otherwise unsuitable for children
- in telephone sales
- in any slaughterhouse or in that part of any butcher’s shop, or other premises connected with the killing of livestock, butchery, or the preparation of carcasses or meat for sale
- as an attendant or assistant in a fairground or amusement arcade, or in any other premises used for the purpose of public amusement by means of automatic machines, games of chance or skill, or similar devices
- in the personal care of residents of any residential care home or nursing home unless under the supervision of a responsible adult
See section 3 of our local byelaws for the employment of children for full details.
Types of work children aged 14 or over can do
Children aged 14 or over may be employed only in light work. 'Light work' is work where the tasks and conditions under which they're performed:
- is not likely to be harmful to the safety, health or development of children
- is not such as to be harmful to their attendance at school or participation in work experience
Types of work children aged 13 can do
Children aged 13 can only carry out light work of the following types:
- agricultural or horticultural work
- delivery of newspapers, journals and other printed material
- shop work, including shelf stacking
- hairdressing salons
- office work
- car washing by hand in a private residential setting
- in a cafe or restaurant
- in riding stables
- domestic work in hotels and other establishments offering accommodation
See section 5 of our local byelaws for the employment of children for full details.
Work experience
Some types of employment can be done under a work experience programme that isn't allowed under child employment law. Children who have worked through a work experience programme may be able to carry on working after it finishes, but this will only be in some cases and they'll need an employment permit to continue working.
Apply for a child employment permit
To employ a child of school age you need to apply for a permit from the council where the employment takes place, not where the young person lives.
You can apply for a child employment permit by completing the application for a work permit and emailing it to: admin-educationwelfareservice@barnsley.gov.uk. Please note: we don't accept applications sent by post.
The application form includes sections which need to be completed by the employer and the child's parent/carer.
What happens next
We'll acknowledge your application the same working day, or the next working day if we receive it after 3:30pm.
If it meets all the requirements, we'll issue the employment permit. This confirms the child is registered for work. The permit will list their details, your details, and the place and hours of work. We'll send the permit and covering documents to the child's parents, as well as copies to you and the child's school.
Employer responsibilities
As an employer of a school age child you're responsible for their health, safety and welfare when at work. You must provide them with protective clothing if necessary, carry out a risk assessment of their role, and inform their parent or carer of any control measures put in place. You should also make sure the child has their permit with them in case their employment status is questioned.
Contact us
You can contact us by emailing: admin-educationwelfareservice@barnsley.gov.uk. Our opening hours are Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.