• Can my child work during school hours?
• Does my child need a permit to work?
• Where can I get an application for a work permit?
• Are there any age restriction's?
• What type of work can my child do?
• What hours can my child work?
• Is the employer responsible for my child?
• Is there anywhere my child can not work?
• Can I download any information from this website?

Can my child work during school hours?

No. Employment should not impede the education of a child.

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Does my child need a permit to work?

In order for a child of compulsory school age to lawfully work, they MUST have a work permit, issued by the Local Education Authority (Devon County Council). A young person is of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June in the school year in which they reach the age of 16. Employment is defined as working or helping in a trade or occupation which may or may not involve payment.

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Where can I get an application for a work permit?

A online form Work Permit Application Form is available for completion which you can then print.

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Are there any age restriction's?

No child under the age of 13 years may be employed.

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What type of work can my child do?

Children aged 13 or 14 years old may only be employed in light work in one or more of the following specified categories:

• Agricultural or horticultural work
• Delivery of newspapers, journals etc
• Shop work
• In a hairdressing salon
• Office work
• Car washing (by hand in a private residential setting)
• In a cafe or restaurant
• In a riding stables
• Domestic work in hotels etc.

Children aged 15 and over may be employed in any light work provided that it is not on the List of Prohibited Employment.

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What hours can my child work?

No child may start work before 7.00 a.m. or finish later than 7.00 p.m at any time until they have reached their official school leaving date. When aged between 13 years and their school leaving date a child may work:

• On School Days:
  One hour before school and up to two hours after school. They must not work more than a total of two hours on any school day.
• On Sundays:
  A maximum of two hours.
• Other days when the school is not open:
  • Children aged 13 or 14 years old can work for a total of five hours. They must, however, have a break of one hour after three hours continuous working.
  • Young people aged 15 years and over can work for a total of eight hours. They must, however, have a break of one hour after four hours continuous working.

Total Weekly working hours:

• Term Time
  13 - 16 years (until official school leaving date) 12 hours total including Saturdays and Sundays
• School Holidays
  Children aged 13 or 14 years cannot work more than 25 hours in any one week (including Saturday and Sunday). Young people 15 years or over cannot work more than 35 hours in any one week including Saturday and Sunday

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Is the employer responsible for my child?

Employers are responsible for ensuring that each child:

• Carries a work permit.
• Works only the hours stated on the work permit.
• Carries out only the employment stated on the work permit.
• Has adequate and appropriate clothing for the work to be undertaken.
• Is in a good state of health for the work they are undertaking.

If you have any doubts as to the suitability of the workplace, please contact the Divisional Education Office.

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Is there anywhere my child can not work?

No child of any age may be employed:

• In a cinema, theatre or club.
• To sell or deliver alcohol except in sealed containers
• To deliver milk or fuel oils
• In a commercial kitchen
• To collect or sort refuse
• In any work more than three metres above ground or in the case of internal work, three metres above floor level.
• In employment involving harmful exposure to physical, biological or chemical agents
• To collect money or to sell/canvass door to door
• In telephone sales
• In a slaughter house or in a butcher’s shop or other place connected with the killing/butcher of livestock or the preparation of meat for sale.
• As an attendant or assistant in a fairground or amusement arcade or in any place used for the purpose of public amusement by automatic machines, games of chance or skill etc.
• In the personal care of residents of any residential home or nursing home.

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Can I download any information from this website?  

A Guide to Child Employment (41KB - pdf help) in PDF format is available for download.