What you need to know

16 year olds are not legally available for full-time work until the last Friday in June of their final year at school. Until that time they are covered by the Children (Protection at Work) Regulations 1998. These regulations state that:

• young people under the age of 13 are not allowed to work.
• young people aged 13 years and over are allowed to take part in light work in agriculture or horticulture, in shops, hairdressers, cafes, stables, kennels, in offices and to deliver newspapers;
• young people aged 14 years and over are allowed to take part in light work which is not harmful to their safety, health and development and does not interfere with their school day

Young people’s working hours (school age) under the Children (Protection at Work) Regulations 1998:

• No work during school hours
• No work before 7am and after 7pm
• No more than 12 hours a week in term time
• No more than 2 hours on a school day or a Sunday
• No more than 5 hours on any other day (8 hours if over 15)
• No more than 25 hours a week during school holidays (35 hours if 15 or over)
• No more than 4 hours without a break of one hour

Any young person who is of compulsory school age (up to 16) must have a work permit. This is issued by their local council. It is up to the employer to apply for the permit within a week of the young person starting work.

For more information visit The Department of Trade and Industry website www.dti.gov.uk