The youngest age a child can work part-time is 13, except children involved in areas like television, theatre and modelling where they will require a licence to perform.
Between the ages of 13 and 16, children can’t work unless they have a child employment permit. It is illegal for businesses to employ 13-16 year old children without one.
Permitted working hours
Term Time -maximum of 12 hours a week.
Up to 2 hours each school day, between 7.00am and 8.00am or 3.30pm and 7.00pm.
Saturdays & School Holidays – maximum of 25 hours a week
Up to 5 hours a day, between 7.00am and 7.00pm.
Sundays – Working hours limited to only 2 hours between 7.00am and 7.00pm.
Term Time -maximum of 12 hours a week.
Up to 2 hours each school day, between 7.00am and 8.00am or 3.30pm and 7.00pm.
Saturdays & School Holidays – maximum of 35 hours a week
Up to 8 hours a day, between 7.00am and 7.00pm.
Sundays – Working hours limited to only 2 hours between 7.00am and 7.00pm.
What type of work is allowed
13 to 16 year olds can do light work in the following areas:
- agricultural or horticultural work
- delivery of newspapers/printed material
- shop work
- hairdressing salons
- office work
- private car washing by hand
- café or restaurant – but not in the kitchen
- domestic work – for example: in a hotel
Types of work not allowed
No child of any age can be employed in the following areas:
- cinemas or night clubs
- commercial kitchens
- collecting or sorting rubbish, rags or scrap metal
- any work more than three metres above the ground/floor level
- telephone sales
- fairgrounds or amusement arcades, as an attendant or assistant
The government has also placed other restrictions on the kind of work that children can do – including health and safety, alcohol licensing and gambling laws. The London Borough of Sutton also has Byelaws regarding what work children are permitted to undertake.
Who needs to apply for a work permit
The employer should apply to the Child Employment and Performance Licensing Officer for a permit if the child will be working in the London Borough of Sutton. A permit is for a specific job and cannot be transferred.
To apply for a Child Employment Permit, please complete the form here, please send all applications or enquiries to child.employment@cognus.org.uk
Further information
National Network for Child Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE)