CHILD EMPLOYMENT Education Social Work Service Pupil and Parent Services Theresa Jackson (Harrogate) & Mark Pearey (Scarborough)

Why is there a Child Employment Law? The Law is there to protect children who work. For children’s safety, to prevent accidents and injury. To ensure that children are able to benefit fully from their education. To ensure that children have spare time to enjoy social activities, etc.

The Law governing child employment exists to ensure that children are protected and not exploited if they have a part-time job. Children can be legally employed from the age of 13 years until the end of their compulsory education. A child whose 16 th birthday occurs between 1 st September and 31 st August (both dates inclusive) is of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June

EMPLOYMENT DEFINITION Children are considered to be employed if they assist in a business which operates for profit whether they are being paid or not. This also applies to an employer’s own child.

At 13 and 14 a children can work: 2 hours on a school day 5 hours on a Saturday 2 hours on a Sunday 5 hours each day in the holidays (Not before 7am or after 7pm) They can work a maximum of 12 hours each week during term time 25 hours a week in the school holidays

At 15 and 16 children can work: 2 hours on a school day 8 hours on a Saturday 2 hours on a Sunday 8 hours a day in the holidays, but no more than 35 hours per week in total. (Not before 7am or after 7pm) They can only work a maximum of 12 hours each week during term time

. Every child must have at least two consecutive weeks without employment per year and these must fall within the school holidays. A child must also have a minimum of 1 hour break after a 4 hour period of working on one day.

Deliver Newspapers, etc. Office Work Riding Stables, Kennels, Catteries In a café or restaurant Agricultural & gardening (NO machinery) Shop Work, inc. shelf stacking Hairdressing Salons Domestic work in hotels, etc offering accommodation At 13 a child can Even though these are permitted types of employment there are still some restrictions on what a child can do.

What is a child NOT allowed to do? Sell or deliver alcohol deliver fuel collect money or sell door to door telephone sales work in a commercial kitchen work more than 3 metres above the ground Exposure to material which is unsuitable to children

What a child is NOT allowed to do? Work in a cinema, night club, etc collect & sort refuse Work in the personal care of residents of any residential home use chemicals *Work in a slaughterhouse or butchers Work in a betting shop *Except under certain circumstances

What must the employer do? give the child an application form so that he can be registered with the Education Office Tell the child to get their parent/guardian and School to complete and sign the application form and then return to the employer As the employer, sign and forward it to the Education Office for processing.

When I receive the form I will check that the type of work and times the child is working is legal If I am satisfied they will be safe, and their education will not suffer, I will issue the child with an Employment Card which will be sent to them and a copy to you as their employer What I (the Child Employment Officer) will do:

What must the child do? The child must carry this card with them when they are working If I visit the employer I will ask to see their Employment Card When they leave a job they must return the card to the Education Office in case they want another job in the future.

End Any Questions?