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Child employment

If you want to employ a young person between the age of 13 and 16, you must register with the council. Application forms for both Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council are processed jointly.

Download the work permit application form 

Please note send your completed application by email to child.employment@telford.gov.uk.


Permitted types of employment

A young person aged thirteen plus may be employed in light work in one or more of the following specified categories:

  • agricultural or horticultural work
  • delivery of newspapers, journals, leaflets (not collection of any money)
  • shop work including shelf stacking
  • hairdressing salons
  • office or clerical work (not in an industrial premise)
  • car washing by hand in a private residential setting
  • riding stables, kennels or catteries
  • cafe or restaurant (not in a kitchen).

Prohibited types of employment

No young person of any age may be employed in the following:

  • in a cinema, theatre, dance hall or nightclub except in connection with a performance given entirely by children
  • be involved in gambling
  • to sell or deliver alcohol, cigarettes or medicine
  • to deliver milk
  • to deliver fuel oils
  • in a commercial kitchen (chip shop, takeaway)
  • to collect or sort refuse
  • be involved in street trading
  • work in a factory or warehouse
  • working in a pub or club
  • in employment involving exposure to physical, biological or chemical agents
  • to collect money or to sell or canvas door to door
  • in work involving exposure to adult material or in situations which are for this reason otherwise unsuitable for children
  • in telephone sales
  • in any slaughterhouse
  • as an attendant or assistant in a fairground or amusement arcade
  • any jobs which may cause you harm or injury.

Hours of work

Children cannot work before 7am or after 7pm.

13 and 14 year olds

  • School holidays:
    • five hours a day 
    • maximum of 25 hours per week.
       
  • Term time:
    • maximum of 12 hours per week       
    • two hours outside of school hours
    • one hour only before school.
       
  • Weekends:
    • maximum of five hours on a Saturday and two hours on a Sunday.

15 and 16 year olds

  • School holidays:
    • eight hours a day 
    • maximum of thirty five hours per week.
       
  • Term time:
    • maximum of twelve hours per week       
    • two hours outside of school hours.
    • one hour only before school.
       
  • Weekends:
    • maximum of eight hours on a Saturday and two hours on a Sunday.

Rest breaks and holidays

After four hours of work, children should take a minimum break of one hour.

All employed children must take two consecutive weeks holiday per year from any form of employment.


Health, safety and risk assessments

Your employer is responsible for your health, safety and welfare while you are at work and must provide protective clothing where necessary.

They must also look at any risks which may affect you in your job.

These rules apply to jobs in a business, even if you don't get paid and even if you are working for the business of your parent/carer. 


Visit the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) for information about child employment and child performance

Last updated: 28/04/2022 14:10

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