Children in employment and entertainment
What can I employ a child to do?
There are certain jobs that children aged 13 to 16 are not allowed to do. Other jobs are only allowed to be done under 'light working' conditions.
Light working is work that will not:
- be harmful to the safety, health or development of the child
- affect their school attendance
- affect participation in work experience.
Child Employment in England is covered by the Children and Young Person Act 1933 and also by local bye-laws, which are drawn up by each Local Authority.
It is illegal to employ a child to work:
- in a cinema, theatre, disco, dance hall or nightclub
- selling or delivering alcohol
- delivering milk
- delivering fuel oils
- in a commercial kitchen
- collecting or sorting refuse
- in any job 3 metres above the ground inside or outside
- in a job involving dangerous exposure to physical, biological or chemical agents
- in a job involving exposure to adult material or in situations unsuitable for children
- in telephone sales
- in any slaughterhouse or butchers shop
- in a gambling environment
- in the personal care of residents of any care home or nursing home.
You can only employ a 13-year-old in 'light work' to:
- do agricultural or horticultural work
- deliver newspapers, journals and other printed materials
- work in a shop
- work in hairdressing salons
- do office work
- wash cars in a private residential setting
- work in a cafe or restaurant
- work in riding stables
- clean in hotels and other establishments offering accommodation.
Children can only work between 7am and 7pm.
13 and 14 year olds can work:
- 2 hours a day during term time
- 5 hours on a non school day
- 2 hours on a Sunday
- 12 hours a week during school term
- 25 hours a week in school holidays.
15 and 16 year olds can work:
- 2 hours a day during term time
- 8 hours on a non school day
- 2 hours on a Sunday
- 12 hours a week during school term
- 35 hours a week in school holidays.
After working 4 hours, children should get a 1 hour break.
Children are only allowed to work 1 hour before a school day begins.
If you have a question or concern about a child or children in employment, contact Buckinghamshire Council Child Employment Officers by emailing childemployment@buckinghamshire.gov.uk so we can investigate your concerns.
If you think the child or children, you are worried about are in immediate danger please call:
- the Police on 999
- First Response on 01296 383 962 between 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday. Call 0800 999 7677 before 9am or after 5:30pm (5pm on a Friday) or at weekends (Emergency Duty Team).
- NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.