Child employment

The law relating to child employment allows for young people aged 13 and above to take on part-time employment.

Any young person who assists in a trade or occupation for profit is considered as employed, even if they receive no payment. For example, children who help their parents in a shop without receiving payment are still considered to be employed.

Application has to be made for such employment to Essex County Council and a permit granted. Applications contain a declaration by the Head teacher which needs to be signed before the application is submitted to the Missing Education and Child Employment Service.

Employers must apply for a work permit for a child within one week of employing them. Further information and applying for a work permit, can be found on the Essex County Council website.

The application form will need to have all sections completed, including: 

• employer's name and address name
• address and date of birth of the child
• details of the school the child attends
• the hours and days for both term-time and non-term time employment
• the occupation in which the child is to be employed and details of the tasks involved
• a signed declaration by the employer to confirm they have carried out an appropriate health and safety risk assessment and that their employers liability insurance covers the employment of young people
• signed declaration by the parent/carer giving their consent

Once the permit has been issued the employer must only employ the child per the permit.

The local authority may revoke a child’s employment permit if the authority thinks that the child is undertaking illegal tasks or the child’s health, welfare or education is likely to suffer.

Once the permit has been issued an officer from the Missing Education and Child Employment Service may visit the child’s place of work to ensure that the terms of the work permit are being upheld.