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Child Employment
Regulations on young people working are governed by the Sheffield City Council Byelaws in connection with the employment of children.
Under 13 years old - All Work is Prohibited
Further information and application forms are available from:
Access and Provision
Children and Young People’s Directorate
Floor 3, Howden House
1 Union Street
Sheffield
S1 2SH
Tel: 0114 273 5701
The Work Permit Application must be completed by a parent/carer and the employer and returned to the above address.
A downloadable Application Form is available below.
How many hours can a young person work?
Under 13 years old - All Work is Prohibited
13 - 14 Years Old
Term-Time
School Days
Not more than 2 hours a day. The 2 hours is either 1 hour before school and 1 hour after school or 2 hours after school
Saturdays 5 hours a day
Sundays 2 hours a day
Total hours must not exceed 12 hours in any week.
School Holidays
Saturdays 5 hours a day
Sundays 2 hours a day
Total hours must not exceed 12 hours in any week.
School Holidays
A young person may work for 5 hours any day (except Sunday)
Total hours must not exceed 25 hours in any week
Total hours must not exceed 25 hours in any week
15 - 16 Years Old
Term-Time
School Days
Not more than 2 hours a day. The 2 hours is either 1 hour before school and 1 hour after school or 2 hours after school
Saturdays 8 hours a day
Sundays 2 hours a day
Total hours must not exceed 12 hours in any week
Saturdays 8 hours a day
Sundays 2 hours a day
Total hours must not exceed 12 hours in any week
School holidays
A young person may work for 8 hours a day (except Sundays).
Total hours must not exceed 35 hours in any week
Total hours must not exceed 35 hours in any week
Important Notes:
Children may only work between 7am and 7pm, irrespective of the day of the week or school holidays
A child must have a one hour break after four hours work. Any additional breaks are at the discretion of the employer.
A child must have a one hour break after four hours work. Any additional breaks are at the discretion of the employer.
Types of Work Allowed
A young person of school age can:
- Deliver newspapers, journals or other printed material
- Work in a shop, including shelf-stacking
- Work in a hairdressing salon
- Work in an office
- Work in a restaurant (but not a commercial kitchen)
- Work in riding stables, kennels and catteries
The employer must always comply with Health and Safety Regulations in respect of the work undertaken by the young person.
Types of Work Prohibited
A young person of school age cannot:
- Sell cigarettes or medicines
- Be involved in gambling
- Sell door to door
- Use dangerous machinery
- Do any job which could cause harm or injury
- Deliver milk
And cannot work:
- in a amusement arcade or fairground
- in a warehouse or factory
- in a slaughterhouse
- in a commercial kitchen
- in a theatre, cinema or disco or television studio (unless licensed to perform there)
- No child may be employed in any work before 7am or after 7pm any day of the week
Employers Responsibility
Employers must ensure that young people of compulsory school age are registered with the local authority and have a permit.
They are responsible for the health, safety and welfare of young people they employ and must make sure they have proper clothes and shoes for the job they are doing. They must also carry out an individual risk assessment.
Employers can be prosecuted by the Local Authority if they:
- Do not register school age employees
- Employ school age young people in a prohibited occupation
- Allow school age young people to work outside the hours allowed by the byelaws
For further information please contact 0114 273 5701
Downloads
Application form to apply for a child/young person's Work Permit. (92 KB)
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