Many young people do work experience to gain skills and learn about work. To prevent exploitation, the council's Juvenile Employment Officer monitors and regulates school-aged children in work.
A copy of the child employment byelaws can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Employers of school aged children
All young people in paid work must hold a work permit. Employers are required by law to register any child who works for them (whether paid or unpaid). An employer can be prosecuted for employing a child illegally. In addition, the insurance which the employer must have for his employees may not be valid.
The employer must complete an ‘application for employment’ form (which the parent of the child must also sign) and send it to the Juvenile Employment Officer using the details below. An employment permit may then be issued for the child to carry whilst working. You can download the "Application form for employment of a child" at the bottom of this page, or contact us on the details below and we will send you one.
We also carry out random checks on workplaces that employ children of school age.
Important things to remember:
You cannot employ a child of school age before 7am or after 7pm.
You are responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the children when they are at work and must provide protective clothing where necessary.
You must also carry out a risk assessment and inform the parents of any control measures taken.
Employers are liable for prosecution if they:
Do not register their school age employees.
Employ school age children in a prohibited occupation.
Allow school age children to work outside the hours permitted by the byelaws.
Southampton City Council
