Are children permitted to work?
Yes. Legislation dictates that children under the age of 13 years are not allowed to be employed in any capacity by any person/s and this also includes parents/guardians. Employment is ‘to assist in the profit making of a commercial business/trade which is carried on for profit, whether or not payment is received for assistance’.
Once a child reaches 13 years of age to the end of their compulsory education, they are allowed to work part-time – but within constraints that are designed to protect the child.
A child ceases to be of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the academic year they are 16.
Once a child is over compulsory school age, registration for work and obtaining an employment permit under this particular legislation no longer applies, even if the child returns to school after this date – for A levels etc.
For more information please see the child employment guidance attachment on this page.
When does a child require a licence for performing?
A child will require a licence when performing in either theatre, modelling, sport or on a licensed premises.
A chaperone license will cost £25 and will be valid for 3 years. Please download the attached application form.
Please see the child performance licences and chaperone service attachments on this page for more information.