A child is a person who has not yet attained the minimum school leaving age. In England and Wales, a child can leave school on the last Friday in June if they are 16 or will be 16 before the start of the next school year. There are quite a few restrictions that apply whilst they are a 'child'. Any contact of employment signed willingly by a child is enforceable in law.
Listed below are just a few of the restrictions, for a more complete list get the downloadable version.
In general, you may not employ a child for paid or unpaid work:
- If he or she is under the age of 14 years
- To do any work other than light work
- During school hours on any school day
- For more than 2 hours on any school day
- For more than 4 hours in any day without a break of 1 hour
- In an industrial situation
Fines of up to £1000 can be imposed for contravention of any of the restrictions.
The work offered must be 'light', which means it will not be harmful to the child's health, safety and development, be within the child's physical capabilities and, of paramount importance, is safe, taking into account a child's lack of experience of safety issues and procedures.
Local Authority powers and work permits
Every local authority has the power to pass bye-laws which can further restrict the employment of children. If any are breached, inadvertently or otherwise, a £1000 fine can be imposed. Check them out first.
They also have the power to require a work permit be obtained for each child to be employed, which, in general, will require details of work, hours and periods of employment to be submitted prior to its issue.
A young person is not a child but is under 18 years old and there are a few restrictions regarding their employment. Any contract of employment signed willingly by a young person is enforceable in law. For more information about 'Young person' click the link in the related pages box on the left
