Child employment and permits
Southampton City Council works with employers to offer opportunities to children and young people in the city and to achieve the best outcomes. This includes working in partnership with the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton (HIPS) Partnership. We are also a member of the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) and liaise with our regional council partners.
All employers, other than not-for-profit organisations, who employ school-aged children are required by law to apply to their council for a child employment permit for any child who works for them. Children aged under 13 are not permitted to undertake any form of employment. We monitor and regulate all school-aged children in employment.
The law applies to all children from birth until completion of compulsory schooling. This is the last Friday in June of the academic year in which the child turns 16.
Please be aware it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that you have read and fully understand the statutory requirements for a child employment permit.
Children and young people can undertake employment in a range of occupations, from working in a cafe, to a swimming pool assistant. It is important for children to be able to have the opportunity to experience working. We want to work in partnership with employers to ensure this is carried out following the correct procedures in line with legislation. This is to ensure the safety of all children and young people.
Important things to remember
- All young people in paid employment or volunteering must hold a work permit
- No child may be employed before 7am or after 7pm on any day
- No child may work for more than four hours without a break of at least one hour
- No child can work for more than two hours on a Sunday between the hours of 7am and 7pm
- During term time, no child can be employed for more than 12 hours per week. There are varying restrictions relating to the hours children can work during school holidays depending on their age. Please see the byelaws or application form for further detail
- You as the employer are responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the children when they are at work. You must provide protective clothing and suitable equipment where necessary
- Employers must carry out a risk assessment and inform the parents or carers of any control measures taken. The child must also be talked through this risk assessment at induction
- We may carry out random checks on workplaces that employ children of school age. You will be expected to present the child's work permit upon inspection
- No child shall be in employment whilst they are absent from education
- Employers must have appropriate insurance in place, outlining that a child is employed in the workplace
- You must not employ children in a prohibited occupation, as outlined in the child employment byelaws
Employers who breach child employment legislation can face a fine.
Apply for an employment permit for a child
To apply for an employment permit for a child, employers should use our contact form.
The child's attendance and safeguarding will be considered when applying for a permit. Employment should not begin until the permit has been issued.
An employment permit may then be issued for the child to carry while working. The employer should hold a copy of this permit.
Parents will need to give consent once a permit application has been submitted. This can also be completed via the contact form.
Work experience
If your child wishes to undertake work experience, please contact their education setting to discuss this further. The setting will undertake relevant checks to ensure that it is a safe and appropriate work experience placement.
If you are electively home educated and do not have a provider to undertake work experience checks, please contact us to discuss further.
Child Employment Month
April is the National Child Employment Raising Awareness Month.
This is an annual event where councils across the UK will highlight the law with regards to children of compulsory school age in employment.
We are looking at ways to raise awareness in conjunction with employers, if you would like to be involved in this as an employer, please contact us using our contact form.
