Essential Maintenance
Due to essential maintenance from 16:00 hours Wednesday 18th and all day Thursday 19th September, all online forms will be unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Here we hope to answer your questions and queries about Child Employment.
From age thirteen, only part-time and only in specific areas. Any work you do must not affect your school work or attendance at school.
Yes. It is a legal requirement. Dudley Council licenses all children who work in the Dudley borough, even if they live or go to school in another authority.
The Employment Permit lasts for as long as the young person has the job or until they leave school. A young person who changes job or changes hours of working will need to have a new work permit.
Yes as long as your employer has submitted the application.
We always check the child’s date of birth, attendance and the nature of the work.
If authorised: The permit is sent to the employer with a copy for the child. The child’s employment details are entered on our database and this information may be shared with other colleagues.
Please note that if there are concerns about your child’s attendance, the permit may be revoked, refused, or issued on a temporary basis only.
You can work for as many employers as you like – but each separate job must be covered by a separate work permit. The limits on working times/hours will apply to the total hours of all your jobs. For example; you can work for three different employers on a Sunday, but your total hours for all three jobs combined must not exceed the permitted two hour maximum.
Yes, a work permit is needed for work whether it is paid or unpaid.
No because babysitting does not fall under child employment regulations. Guidance is available on request, please contact Child Employment Officer for further information.
No. The Local Authority is not authorised to act as an “employment bureau”. The role of the council is to ensure that the employment remains within the confines of the law – and thus (as far as possible) safe for the child.
Age 13 & 14:
Age 15 & 16:
Employers must provide suitable and set times for rest.
Children are not allowed to work for more than 4 hours without a 1 hour break.
There must be at least 2 weeks, taken together, when the child must not work.
Children can only work twelve hours maximum in any school week.
Yes, a child requires a permit even if working for a family member.
No, not until s/he is over official school leaving age: the last Friday in June of Year 11.
Yes, if your child’s attendance is poor, or we are concerned about your child’s welfare in any way.
Health and Safety
The employer must complete a risk assessment before the child starts work. The employer must also ensure that the child is properly protected when working and has appropriate clothing for indoor and outdoor work.
Child Protection
Child employment is a child protection issue. The work permit safeguards your child’s employment and welfare. If you or your child have any concerns, please contact this department.
Work Experience
This comes under different legislation and must be approved through your child’s school
Employers Who Don’t Apply for Work Permits
An employer who employs a compulsory school age child without an employment permit is in contravention of the child employment regulations and action may be taken against them by the local authority in whose area the employment takes place. This is applicable to all employers by all local authorities.
Health and safety of children and young people at work is paramount. You may find useful information on keeping safe at work, or on your way to and from work in our Health and Safety section.
Useful documents:
If you require further information please contact Dudley Council Plus.