Key background

• The definition of 'work' as applies to children below Minimum School Leaving Age (MSLA) is: 'any work that is part of a business whether or not the person is paid'.
• Children cannot work in business until they are 13 years old.
• Babysitting is not considered 'work' by the law.

To employ children of compulsory school age

You must have a permit, you can apply using the form below which must be signed by employer and parent / guardian and sent to the school:

• Pupils at independent schools should return the form to Children's Services, County Hall, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1ND.
• The work permit must be issued in the local authority where children work, regardless of where they live or go to school.
• During the school holidays, all pupils can send the forms to Children's Services (address above) and a permit will be issued.

Child employees

A child employee:

• can only ever work between 7am and 7pm
• must have two weeks free from work each year
• must not work more than 12 hours during any school week
• can work a total of two hours on a school day between 7am and 8.30am and after school until 7pm
• can only work for two hours on a Sunday
• must have a rest break of one hour after working four hours.

At age 13 and 14:

• can work for five hours on a Saturday
• can work for five hours on weekdays during holidays
• can only work for 25 hours per week during school holidays.

At age 15 and 16:

• can work for eight hours on a Saturday
• can work for eight hours on weekdays during holidays
• can only work for 35 hours per week during school holidays.

When you cannot employ a child

You cannot employ a child:

• in a cinema, theatre, discotheque, dance hall or night club (unless licensed to perform there)
• to sell or deliver alcohol: except in sealed containers
• to deliver milk
• to deliver fuel oils
• in a commercial kitchen
• to collect or sort refuse
• in any work which is more than three metres above ground level or, in the case of internal work, more than three metres above floor level
• in employment involving harmful exposure to physical, biological or chemical agents
• to collect money or to sell or canvass door to door, except under the supervision of an adult
• in work involving exposure to adult material or in situations which are for this reason otherwise unsuitable for children
• in telephone sales
• in any slaughterhouse or in that part of any butcher's shop or other premises connected with the killing of livestock, butchery, or the preparation of carcasses or meat for sale
• as an attendant or assistant in a fairground or amusement arcade or in any other premises used for the purpose of public amusement by means of automatic machines, games of chance or skill or similar devices.

Further information and advice

The guidance documents below highlight the following areas which are important those responsible for employing children:

• Health and safety
• Hours of work
• Work experience insurance
• Confidentiality
• Reporting of accidents
• Payment and expenses
• Child protection guidance
• Risk assessment

Application form and guidance leaflets

• Application form (pdf format, 89 KB)
  For the part time employment of school children.
• Do you employ school-age children? (pdf format, 167 KB)
  Important guidance for employers.
• Got a part time job? (pdf format, 143 KB)
  Make sure you are not employed illegally if you are a young person with a part time job.
• Do your school-age children have jobs? (pdf format, 139 KB)
  Advice and important information for parents.

Specialist contacts

Attendance and Engagement Team (child employment)
Tel: 01865 323513 

Social Inclusion Co-ordinator (SEO Support and Licences)
Children's Services
Tel: 01865 792422 

Health and Safety Team
Tel: 01865 797222