Child Employment
Peterborough City Council has bye-laws which control the employment of school children.
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.
These are in place to protect children and ensure their employment during their compulsory school years is regulated and does not affect their education.
Information for employers
A child must have a work permit if they have a part-time job and are of compulsory school age. It is up to the employer to obtain a work permit
An employer of a school aged child is responsible for the health, safety
and welfare of the child when they are at work and where necessary the
employer must provide the child with any required protective clothing.
It is prohibited for the use of children in the collection of cash.
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
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Children in Entertainment
Many children enjoy performing, whether in plays, films, modelling or on television. However, laws such as The Children & Young Persons Act 1933 & 1963 and The Children Performances Regulations 1998 are designed safeguard the health, well-being, safety and education of children. For more information on children in entertainment (e.g. who needs a licence? and Maximum days permitted to perform)
See, Information on Children in Entertainment
Chaperones: If a parent/carer does not accompany a child, the production company is required to supply a chaperone who is currently licensed by a Local Authority. A Chaperone shall be responsible for the proper care and control of the child, including their health, comfort, kind treatment and moral welfare. See Information for Chaperones
Information for Parents/Carers
Parents should be sure that if their child is employed such employment is strictly within the law.
Children may not work:
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without an employment permit issued by the education department of the local council, if this is required by local byelaws
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during school hours
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before 7.00 am or after 7.00 pm
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for more than one hour before school
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for more than four hours without taking a break of at least one hour
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in any occupations prohibited by local byelaws or other legislation, such as pubs and betting shops
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in any work that may be harmful to their health, well-being or education
Click here to find out more about Child Employment laws
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Permitted Hours of Employment for a child
| 13 - 14 Years | 15 - 16 Years | |
| School Days | 2 hours * | 2 hours * |
| * Children can only work out of school hours and only 1 hour between 7 am and the start of school. | ||
| Children are not allowed to work more than 12 hours a week during term time. | ||
| Saturdays | 5 hours | 8 hours |
| Sundays | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| School Holidays | 5 hours Up to a maximum of 25 hours a week. |
8 hours Up to a maximum of 35 hours a week |
| There must be 2 consecutive weeks free from work during the year. | ||
| There must be a rest break of 1 hour every 4 hours. | ||
