Part Time Work when you are still at School

If you are still of compulsory school age you are entitled to have a part-time job, but there are some regulations about the sort of work you can do. These regulations are to protect your wellbeing and to help ensure that having a job does not affect your education. This part of the website sets out the main facts you need to know before you start work. 

You are of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June in the school year that you are 16. You don't stop being of compulsory school age as soon as you are 16 or when you receive a National Insurance Number. 

You may only start part-time work when you are 13 years old.

At 13  you may only do jobs from the following list of light work:

• Agricultural or horticultural work
• Delivering newspapers
• Work in a shop
• Work in a hairdressers
• Office work 
• Work in a café or restaurant
• Work in riding stables
• Undertake domestic work in hotels or other establishments offering accommodation.             

From the age of 14  you may do work from the above list and other light work provided the jobs are not on the list of prohibited employment shown below.

At all ages you should have a one hour break if you work for more than four hours in one day. Your employer should also ensure that you have a two week break during school holidays each year.

List of prohibited employment:

While you are still of compulsory school age you can't: 

• Work in a cinema, theatre, dance hall, disco or night club
• Sell or deliver alcohol
• Deliver fuel oils 
• Work in a commercial kitchen
• Collect or sort refuse
• Do any job which involves you being more than three metres off the ground
• Do a job which may bring you into contact with harmful chemicals
• Collect money or sell or canvass door to door 
• Be exposed to adult material which is considered unsuitable for children
• Work in telephone sales
• Work in a slaughterhouse, abattoir or butcher's shop
• Work in a fairground or amusement arcade
• Work in "personal care" in a residential or nursing home               

And remember...

• You are considered to be employed whether you are being paid or not. However if you are doing work experience organised by your school you do not need a work permit.
• Your employer has a responsibility to take care of your health, safety and welfare when you are at work. You and your parents can ensure your safety by: 

Frequently Asked Questions     

What do I need when I start work? 

• You need to have a work permit. You can obtain a form from school. Education Welfare Office (see area details below), your employer or you can click on the link below to download one. The form contains sections to be completed by yourself, your employer and your parents.      

Child Employment Application Form 2007

Why do I need a work permit?

• Your employer could be prosecuted for employing you without a work permit. Also if you have an accident whilst at work, your employer's insurance would be invalid if you do not have a work permit. However, more importantly, we need to ensure that what you are doing is safe, and that it is not affecting your education or your attendance at school.         

How long does a work permit last? 

• Your permit lasts for as long as your job does. However, if you change jobs or change your hours of employment, you need to inform us. If you stop working you also need to inform us.         

Could I have my permit taken off me? 

Yes if the Local Education Authority believes that: 

• You are being unlawfully employed.
• That your health, welfare, school attendance or your ability to take advantage of your education are suffering or are likely to suffer as a result of your employment.         

Do people working for their parents in a family business need a work permit? 

• Yes. Young people helping out in a family shop or business as a chore or expectation or for pocket money are employed and need to be covered by a work permit.         

Do I need a permit for Babysitting? 

• No. Babysitting is not considered to be a trade or occupation carried on for profit.         

Can anybody under the age of 13 work? 

• No. Not even where the work is for the child's parents, unpaid and would be permitted if the child were 13.         

And finally...  remember you can contact your Education Welfare Service for information or if you have any queries about working whilst you are still at school.