Young people who are still of compulsory school age may be entitled to have a part-time job, but there are some regulations about the sort of work they can do. These regulations are to protect their well-being and to help ensure that having a job does not affect their education.

Statutory school-leaving date

The statutory (legal) school-leaving date is the last Friday in June. This date applies to all pupils irrespective of the date on which they reach their 16th birthday. Remember there is now only one school-leaving date each year; you cannot leave school at Easter any longer.

If your child is still under the compulsory school-leaving age, but are no younger than 13, they are entitled to have a part-time job. However, there are some regulations about the sort of work they can and cannot do. These regulations are to protect their well-being and to help ensure that having a job does not affect their schooling.

What do you need before you start work

Your child will need to have a work permit BEFORE they start working. An application form can be obtained from their school, local Education Welfare Officer or the employer may already have one. There are sections that need to be completed by child, you and your childs employer. If your child stops working, change jobs or change the hours then they need to inform the Educational Welfare Service.

What type of work can I do?

At age 13 or over your child may only do jobs from the following list of work:

• Agricultural or horticultural work.
• Delivering newspapers.
• Work in a shop.
• Work in hairdressers.
• Office work.
• Wash cars (not in a commercial garage).
• Work in a café or restaurant.
• Work in riding stables.
• Domestic work in hotels & guesthouses.

At age 14 or over they may do work from the list above and other light work: for example, milk deliveries, providing the chosen job does not appear on the list of PROHIBITED EMPLOYMENT that follows.

At ANY age they should have a one-hour break if you work more than four hours in one day. All employers should ensure that your child has a two-week break during school holidays each year.

Prohibited Employment

While your child is still under school-leaving age they cannot:

• Work in a cinema,
• theatre, dance hall, disco or nightclub.
• Sell or deliver alcohol.
• Work in a petrol station.
• Work in a commercial kitchen.
• Undertake food preparation.
• Collect or sort refuse.
• Do window cleaning or any other job that involves you being more that 3 metres off the ground.
• Do a job that might bring you into contact with harmful chemicals.
• Call at people's houses to collect money.
• Be exposed to adult material that is considered unsuitable for children.
• Work in telephone sales.
• Work in a slaughterhouse, abattoir or butcher's shop.
• Work in a fairground.
• Work in an amusement arcade.
• Do "personal care" in a residential or nursing home.

What hours can my child work?

If your child is 13 or 14 they may work the following hours:

• School Days - Not more than 2 hours a day during the following periods. Morning: 7am to start of school. Evening: close of school to 7pm.
• Saturdays - Up to 5 hours between 7am and 7pm.
• Sundays - Up to 2 hours between 7am and 7pm.
• Term Time including weekends - Up to a maximum of 12 hours a week.
• School Holidays - Up to a maximum of 25 hours a week (5 hours a day, 7am - 7pm, 2 hours on a Sunday 7am and 11am).

If they are 15 or 16 you may work the following hours:

• School Days - Same as above.
• Saturdays - Up to 8 hours between 7am and 7pm. Sundays - Up to 2 hours between 7am to 7 pm.
• Term Time including weekends - Same as above.
• School Holidays - Up to a maximum of 35 hours a week (8 hours a day, 7am - 7pm, 2 hours on a Sunday between 7am and 7pm).

IMPORTANT

Your child is considered to be employed whether they are being paid or not (excluding school work experience).

The employer has a responsibility to take care of your health, safety and welfare whilst you are at work. Your child can help ensure they stay safe by:

• Checking that they are properly trained for the job they are doing.
• Making sure they wear suitable protective clothing.
• Asking questions if they are not sure what to do.
• Speaking to theiremployer or yourself if whilst at work anyone makes them feel uncomfortable or anxious by what they say or do.

Entry to full-time employment

When your child reaches the statutory (legal) school-leaving age, and have left school, they can start in full-time employment immediately.

National Insurance cards are distributed during Year 11, shortly before pupils reach school-leaving age, but no NI contributions are paid until the young person has reached his or her 16th birthday and is in employment. Having a NI card does not mean that the young person can work full time straight away; the statutory school leaving date still applies.

For further information contact your local Education Office.