This guide is designed to help employers decide whether a job they’re posting is suitable for people aged under 15 (children) and 16–17 (young workers), and to clearly explain UK legal requirements.
1. Age Categories & Definitions
Children (under compulsory school-leaving age)
- A child is someone who has not reached the minimum school-leaving age.
- They are subject to child employment laws that strictly limit hours and types of work.
Young Workers (16–17)
- A young worker has left compulsory education or training but is under 18.
- They have employment rights (e.g., pay, working time limits), but with special protections for hours, breaks and night work.
Key Summary
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Category
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Age Range
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Major Rules Apply
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Child
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Under school-leaving age (usually <16)
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Child employment permits, restricted hours and jobs
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Young Worker
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16–17
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Worker rights plus special working time & night-work protections
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2. Child Employment (Under School-Leaving Age)
Permits & Legal Requirement
- You must usually obtain a child employment permit from the local council’s education department before a child starts work.
- It’s illegal to employ a child under 13 (with limited exceptions such as licensed performance).
- Failure to have the appropriate permit can result in fines, and your insurance may be invalid.
Cumbria/Westmorland (Local Authority Example)
- Westmorland & Furness Council requires applications and risk assessments for child permits (e.g., 13–15).
- Cumberland Council provides standard local child employment forms and specifies the hours children can work (e.g., no work in school hours; hourly maximums).
Tip: Always contact your local education welfare team (e.g., Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness) to confirm whether a permit is required in your area as bylaws can vary.
3. Working Hours for Children (Under School-Leaving Age)
General Restrictions
Children cannot work:
- During school hours.
- Before 7 am or after 7 pm on any day.
- For more than four hours continuously without at least a one-hour break.
- Without a *two-week break from work each year during holiday time.
Term-Time & Holiday Hours (Typical Rules)
Based on GOV.UK child employment restrictions (local rules may vary slightly by council).
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Age
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Term-Time Weekly Maximum
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Daily Maximum (Term-Time)
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Holiday Weekly Maximum
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Daily Maximum (School Holidays)
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Ages 13–14
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12 hours
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2 hrs (weekdays)
5 hrs (Saturday)
2 hrs (Sunday)
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25 hours
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5 hrs (weekdays & Saturday)
2 hrs (Sunday)
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Age 15 (still at school)
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12 hours
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2 hrs (weekdays)
8 hrs (Saturday)
2 hrs (Sunday)
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35 hours
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8 hrs (weekdays & Saturday)
2 hrs (Sunday)
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Notes:
- A child may work no more than two hours a school day outside school time.
- These hours include weekends.
4. Young Workers (Aged 16–17) — Hours, Breaks & Night Work
Once a young person has left compulsory education and is legally a young worker, the rules differ:
Working Hours & Rest Breaks
For young workers, the Working Time Regulations apply, plus extra protections:
- Maximum 8 hours per day.
- Maximum 40 hours per week.
- 30-minute break if working more than 4.5 hours.
- 12 hours’ rest between working days.
- 48 hours’ rest weekly (two full days together) — or at least 36 hours with the remaining 12 taken as soon as possible.
Night Work & Restricted Periods
Young workers must not usually work in certain hours:
- Generally no work between 10 pm and 6 am if their contract does not allow, or 11 pm and 7 am if the contract does allow after 10 pm.
- Absolute prohibition: no work between midnight and 4 am under any circumstances.
Exceptions (Limited):
In specific industries (e.g., hospitality, retail, agriculture, post/newspaper delivery, advertising, hotels, catering, healthcare), a young worker may work later than usual hours only if:
- There are no adults available to do the job.
- It will not negatively affect education/training.
- They are supervised adequately.
5. Health, Safety & Employer Responsibilities
Health & Safety:
- Employers must assess the risks for young workers/children and ensure the workplace is safe for their age and experience.
Payroll, Wages & National Minimum Wage:
- Young workers (16–17) must be paid at least the legal minimum wage for their age bracket. (Also see ACAS/NMW rates — not shown here but applicable.)
Record-Keeping:
- For young workers, employers should keep evidence that hours and restricted periods are respected.
6. Employer Checklist Before Posting a Job
✔ Identify whether the role is open to children (< school-leaving age) or young workers (16–17).
✔ For children, check if a local child employment permit is required and apply before employment starts.
✔ For children, ensure hours and job type comply with the table above.
✔ For young workers, schedule shifts to stay within 8 hrs/day and 40 hrs/week.
✔ Provide rest breaks and rest periods as required.
✔ Avoid prohibited night-work unless specific exception criteria are met and documented.
✔ Perform risk assessments and ensure safety before they start.
Sources & Further Reading
- GOV.UK — Child Employment: Restrictions on Child Employment
https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment - GOV.UK — Paying Young Workers & National Minimum Wage
https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/paying - GOV.UK — Rest Breaks & Working Time for Young Workers
https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/young-workers - ACAS — Young Workers and Work Experience
https://www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-and-work-experience - Health & Safety Executive (HSE) — Young Workers Guidance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/young-workers/employer/index.htm - GOV.UK — Find Local Child Work Permits
https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/child-work-permit-england-wales - Westmorland & Furness Council — Child Employment and Work Permits
https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/schools-and-education/access-inclusion-and-child-employment/child-employment-and-work-permits - Cumberland Council — Child Employment Application Form
https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-09/cumberland_child_employment_application_form.pdf
