Child Employment

Children of compulsory school age can work part-time from the age of 13, but only within strict legal guidelines designed to protect their health, education and wellbeing. Employers, parents and professionals have a shared duty to ensure these rules are followed.

Legal Requirements

✅ Age Restrictions

• Under 13 years: Children cannot be employed in any capacity — whether paid or unpaid — including by parents, guardians or family members.

• From 13 years: Children can work part-time in specific types of employment (see below). Some local authorities require children to be 14 before working.

• Compulsory school age ends on the last Friday in June of Year 11, regardless of when a child turns 16. After this date, work permits are no longer required, even if the young person returns to education.

Permitted Work and Hours

🕖 Working Hours

Children of compulsory school age must not work:

• Before 7:00am

• After 7:00pm

• During school hours

• For more than 2 hours on a school day

• More than 12 hours in a school week

• More than 5 hours on a Saturday (13–14 year olds), or 8 hours (15–16 year olds)

• More than 2 hours on a Sunday

✅ Permitted Jobs (Age 13 only)

There are 9 permitted types of employment for 13-year-olds (e.g. newspaper delivery, shop work, café assistant).
Local byelaws may vary — some areas do not allow work until age 14.
Note: There is no permitted list for 14–16 year olds, but there is a list of prohibited work for all ages.

Prohibited Work

Children must not be employed in:

• Any industrial setting (e.g. factories, construction sites)

• Work involving harmful substances

• Delivering milk

• Work in pubs or betting shops

• Work that may cause harm, risk or inappropriate responsibility

Work Permits and Risk Assessments

📝 Employment Permits

• Employers must submit an Employment Permit Application to the local authority within the first week of employment.

• This must be submitted to the local authority where the job takes place — not where the child lives or goes to school.

• School or parental permission is not a legal substitute for registration.

⚠️ Health & Safety

• Employers are legally required to complete a Health & Safety Risk Assessment under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

• The risk assessment must consider the child’s age, inexperience, and vulnerability, and the employer must notify the parent/guardian that this has been completed.

• Further guidance is available from Environmental Health or the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that any child of compulsory school age they employ is properly registered for work and holds a valid Employment Permit. Failing to do so is a breach of child employment regulations and may result in enforcement action by the local authority.

⚠️ Penalties for Non-Compliance

• It is an offence for an employer to allow a child of compulsory school age to work without an employment permit.

• This applies to all employers, including family-run businesses, and is enforceable by all local authorities.

• Local authorities can take formal action against employers who fail to comply with these regulations.

✅ What Is an Employment Permit?

An Employment (Work) Permit is a legal document issued by the local authority where the work takes place. It confirms that a child is registered for part-time work and that the job complies with national legislation and local byelaws.

• Permits are issued once a completed application is submitted and meets all legal requirements.

• The permit is sent to both the employer and the child.

• It outlines the child’s permitted working hours, employer details, place of work, and any specific conditions or restrictions.

• Local authorities may share a copy of the permit with the authority where the child lives or goes to school, to ensure appropriate monitoring.

📄 One Permit per Job

Employment permits are specific to each individual job. If a child:

• Works in more than one role

• Works for more than one employer

• Works at more than one location

…they must have a separate employment permit for each role, registered with the relevant local authority where the work takes place.

Children involved in performances, modelling or paid entertainment work may require a Child Performance Licence. This applies from birth until the child reaches compulsory school leaving age — the last Friday in June of Year 11, when the child turns 16.

In Wirral, the local authority is responsible for:

• Issuing Child Performance Licences

• Issuing Body of Persons Approvals (BOPAs)

• Approving and registering chaperones

• Ensuring all licensing conditions are met

When Is a Performance Licence Required?

A child performance licence is usually required if any of the following apply:

• The child is paid for their performance

• The child will miss school to take part in the activity

• The child is performing in a broadcast, recorded, or public exhibition (TV, radio, film, YouTube, streaming, etc.)

• The child is performing at a licensed premises or registered club

• The performance is professional, commercial, or involves modelling, voiceovers, photography, or catwalk work

• The performance includes events such as:

  • Stage shows

  • Commercials

  • Films

  • Dance and drama school productions

  • Music service/hub events

  • Festivals

  • Professional sports

Note: Schools do not need to apply for a performance licence for regular school plays or concerts. However, if a child or group is involved in commercial performances outside the school’s regular curriculum, a licence is still required — even if it takes place on school premises.

Chaperone Requirements

A licensed chaperone must be present during performances unless the child is accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Chaperones:

• Must be approved by the local authority

• Are responsible for the child’s welfare, supervision and safety at all times during rehearsals, performances and breaks

• Can supervise a maximum of 12 children at a time

Need Advice or Want to Apply?

For enquiries about child performance licences, chaperone applications or BOPAs:

📞 Call: 0151 666 3433
📧 Email: childlicensing@wirral.gov.uk