Paid or unpaid work and school aged pupils
Find out what to do if you employ a school-aged pupil in the borough.
If you regularly employ a school-aged pupil (between ages 13 to 16) on a paid or unpaid basis, you are legally required to inform us and need to request a child employment permit. If you do not apply for a permit, you are breaking the law and could be prosecuted.
Permitted times of employment of children aged 13 and over
For information on the type and duration of employment allowed for children under 14, you should contact the child employment service using the details at the bottom of the page.
Daily limit
| School day – between 7–8am or up to 7pm after school | Non-school day Mon–Sat between 7am–7pm | Sunday between 7–10am | |
| Children under 15 | Two hours | Five hours | Two hours |
| Children aged 15 and over but under statutory School Leaving Age | Two hours | Eight hours | Two hours |
Weekly limit
| School term | School holidays | |
| Children under 15 | 12 hours | 25 hours |
| Children aged 15 and over but under statutory School Leaving Age | 12 hours | 35 hours |
Apply for a child employment permit
- You must submit a child employment permit application form to us within the first five days of employment.
- The form must be completed in agreement with the child and the parent.
- It is designed to help regulate the protection, health, safety and welfare of the child employee.
Employment of children – application by employer
Word, 119KB
Contact
Attendance, Inclusion and Participation Service (child employment)
Second Floor, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London, SE6 4RU
Published on: 30/11/2023