Your child’s employer has a legal duty to let you know of an assessment of any risks that your child may face in carrying out their employment.
Work experience
The information in this leaflet does not apply to work experience which is organised by schools, usually for a two-week period during years 10 or 11. Children who take part in work experience are monitored by school staff and covered for insurance purposes. Certificate of employment If your child is considering starting a job they must have a Certificate of Employment issued by the Council. Their employer has a legal responsibility to ensure that your child has a Certificate of Employment. However, as a parent, you should also make sure, that your child has the Certificate.
Application forms for a Certificate of Employment are available from your child’s school or the Council’s Education Welfare Service. Your employer may also have the form.
Children and young people of school age (who are 13 and over) are allowed to work, provided they have a valid Certificate of Employment. The laws governing child employment are there to make sure that your children are protected and not exploited if they have a part-time job while still of compulsory school age. Remember Children are considered to be employed whether they are paid or not for the work they do.
Compulsory school age
A child is of compulsory school age until the date they are officially allowed to leave school. This is not their 16th birthday or when they receive their National Insurance number.
The official school leaving date is the last Friday in June.
Parent’s income
Any money that a child may earn does not affect your entitlement to income support or family credit.
The Children (Protection at Work) (No 2)Regulations 2000, states that 13-16 year-olds may only work for a maximum of 12 hours each week during term time that is any week when a child is required to attend school:
- No child under 13 years of age can be employed.
- Children aged 13 may only be employed in those jobs specified in the local byelaws.
For more advice, contact the Education Welfare Service
Children & Young People’s Services
Education Welfare Service
Wigan Investment Centre
Waterside Drive
Wigan
WN3 5BA
Tel: (01942) 705405
Email: childemployment@wigan.gov.uk
Related leaflet:
- Do you employ school age young people?
This booklet is also available in other languages, on audio tape or CD and in large print. Contact us at the above address for more details.
Children and Young People’s Services promotes equality of opportunity and diversity.
