As we reach the last half term of the school year and a time when a number of students will be seeking to work during the summer holiday, a reminder of the regulations regarding children in employment:

There are several restrictions on when and where children are allowed to work.

In particular, children are not allowed to work:

• without an employment permit issued by the education department of the local council
• before 7am or after 7pm
• for more than one hour before school
• for more than 4 hours without taking a break of at least 1 hour
• without having a 2-week break from any work during the school holidays in each calendar year

There are also special rules which only apply during term times and school holiday times.

Term time rules

During term time children can only work a maximum of 12 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays
• a maximum of 5 hours on Saturdays for 13 to 14-year-olds, or 8 hours for 15 to 16-year-olds

School holiday rules

During school holidays 13 to 14-year-olds are only allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
• a maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

During school holidays 15 to 16-year-olds can only work a maximum of 35 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 8 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
• a maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

A link to the county work permit application form can be found below.