Child Employment
Safeguarding children in Wolverhampton is everyone's business!
The Local Authority has a statutory duty to regulate, supervise and enforce legislation with respect to all aspects of the employment of children of compulsory school age within the City.
A child assisting in any trade or occupation carried out for profit or gain is deemed to be employed even if he/she receives no reward for his/her labour. This includes working for a parent's business.
No child under the age of 13 shall be employed.
A child having attained the age of 13 up until ceasing to be of compulsory school age may be employed providing such employment is within the law and that such employment will not be prejudicial to the health and well-being of the child or cause of the child's education to suffer.
The law does not end as soon as the child is 16 but applies until the last Friday in June of the school year in which he/she attains the age of 16.
Advice for Employers
See detailed Information for Employers (Downloadable leaflet).
A person wishing to employ a child shall notify the Local Authority in whose area the employment is to take place within 7 days of the commencement of the employment to obtain an employment permit.
See Employment of Children Notification
Where necessary the employer must provide the child with any required protective clothing.
The use of children in the collection of cash is prohibited.
Children using cycles for newspaper delivery should ensure that at all times the cycle is safely maintained and lights are fitted and in working order during the hours of darkness. It is also advised that insurance cover is available in the event of a cycle being stolen.
Adequate rest breaks should be provided, and the employer is responsible for the child's supervision health, safety and general well-being at all times.
No child shall be employed on any day on which he/she is prevented from attending school because of illness.
No child shall be employed in any work likely to cause injury e.g. lifting.
Children in Entertainment
For more information see The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968
Many children enjoy performing, whether in plays, films, modelling or on television. However, laws exist which are designed to protect children's welfare and prevent them from being exploited.
There are special licensing requirements for children who perform and in many cases children should not take part in performances except under the authority of a licence granted by the local authority in whose area the child resides.
For comprehensive information on children in entertainment, e.g. number of days they are allowed to perform, visit the website of the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment.
Prohibited Employments
No child is permitted to be employed in any of the following occupations:
-
In any factory or other industrial undertaking.
-
In betting shops or amusement arcades.
-
As an assistant or attendant in a kitchen, fried fish shop or any establishment of a similar kind.
-
On licensed premises, in clubs or public houses.
-
In the handling or petrol or dangerous substances.
-
In any theatre, cinema, bingo hall or disco.
-
Door-to-door selling, canvassing or street trading.
-
In the selling of raffle tickets.
Permitted Hours of Employment
Specific Hours of Work Allowed
13 & 14 years |
15 & 16 years |
|
| TERM TIME: | Maximum 12 hours in any 7 day week Maximum 2 hours on ANY school day (1 hour after 7 a.m. and beginning of school day plus 1 hour after the end of the school day and before 7 p.m.: OR 2 hours after the end of the school day and before 7 p.m. Saturday maximum 5 hours (1 hour break after 4 hours continuous work) Sunday maximum 2 hours |
Maximum 12 hours in any 7 day week Maximum 2 hours on ANY school day (1 hour after 7 a.m. and beginning of school day plus 1 hour after the end of the school day and before 7 p.m.: OR 2 hours after the end of the school day and before 7 p.m. Saturday maximum 8 hours (1 hour break after 4 hours continuous work) Sunday maximum 2 hours |
| HOLIDAYS: | Maximum 25 hours per 7 day week (5 hours in any one day) (Sunday 2 hours only) | Maximum 35 hours per 7 day week (8 hours in any one day) (Sunday 2 hours only) |
No child shall be employed before 7.00 a.m. or after 7.00 p.m. on any day. |
||
Advice for Parents
Also see the information at Directgov - Child Employment
Parents should be sure that if their child is employed such employment is strictly within the law.
Sadly there is always risk of a child suffering injury arising from part time work. While most employers of children are reputable employers who carry insurance cover there is always the possibility of a child suffering injury in circumstances where the employment is outside of the law which causes great difficulty insofar as compensation is concerned. Parents wishing to ensure their child is correctly registered for employment and working within the law should contact The Child Employment Section on 01902 555233.
Any money paid to a child is not governed by law and is a matter between the employer, the child and his/her parents.
