Apply for a work permit to employ a child

To complete the application, you will need to provide details about:

• your business
• the child
• the job which the child is to be employed to do
• the hours which they’ll be expected to work

You’ll also need to provide:

• a statement by the child’s parents that the child is fit to work and they agree to the employment (this may be part of the application form)
• evidence that the job is not dangerous (eg a risk assessment)

In order to safeguard the welfare of the child, the information provided may be shared with other relevant parties.

Employer’s Details

Business/Trading Name

First Name

Middle name (optional)

Last Name

Email
We will email the permit to this email address.

Phone number

Address where child is employed

Address line 1

Address line 2 (optional)

City or town

Postcode

Address of head office (if different from above)

Is the child’s place of employment different from the head office address?

Select one option.

Yes

No

Address line 1

Address line 2

City or Town

Postcode

About the role

Job Title

Start Date

Child's duties and responsibilities (In Full)

Employers Liability Insurance

Quote the employer's liability insurance details

Company Name

Policy Number

Hours of Employment

The named child is to be employed on the following days & times

Hours during school term (12 hours per week maximum)

Children can work a maximum of 2 hours per school day, either:

• 1 hour in the morning between 7 am – 8 am and 1 hour between the end of school and 7 pm
•  2 hours between the end of school and 7 pm

Children can work a maximum of 2 hours on Sunday between the hours of 7 am – 7 pm.

Children must have at least 2 consecutive weeks of holiday per year.

	Morning			Afternoon
	From	To		From	To
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Total hours per week

Provide any other relevant information (optional)

Hours during school holidays

During school holidays, 14 year olds are only allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
• a maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

During school holidays, 15 to 16 year olds can only work a maximum of 35 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 8 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
• a maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

If children work for more than 4 hours they must have a 1 hour break. Children must have at least 2 consecutive weeks of holiday per year.

	Before lunch			After lunch
	From	To		From	To
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Total hours per week

Provide any other relevant information (optional)

Health & Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 Notes for Employers of Children of Compulsory School Age

These Regulations, which have the force of law, came into effect on 31 March 1997. They apply to all organisations and are intended to bring together good practice in risk assessment.

Attach a risk assessment

An employer must make a risk assessment specifically relating to the employment of children before employing them. If there are already children working in the organisation, a risk assessment must be made immediately (if it has not been done since 31 March 1997).

The risk assessment must pay particular attention to:

• The immaturity and inexperience of the child and any consequential lack of awareness of risks.
• The health and safety training to be given to the young person.
• The risks posed by those aspects listed in the Annex to Council Directive 94/33/EC (this includes such aspects as work with explosives, work with lead and asbestos etc).
• The nature and layout of the work area.
• The types of equipment, methods of use and work activities to be undertaken.

Upload a file

For example, a document (pdf, docx, Word) or image (jpeg, png)
Images must be no bigger than 50MB

Reduction of Risks

An employer must ensure that children are not exposed to risks at work that arise because of their lack of maturity or experience and lack of awareness of dangerous or potentially dangerous situations.

A child should not be expected to do any of the following:

• Work beyond their physical or psychological capabilities.
• Work involving risk to health from noise, vibration or extreme heat/cold.
• Work involving harmful exposure to any agents which can chronically affect health, including those with toxic or carcinogenic effects or those causing genetic damage to harm an unborn child.

Having carried out the assessment, the results will suggest whether the employer should restrict the work of children within the workplace.

Even if there is not involvement with any of the work areas specified above the employer may still feel that there is a significant risk to children and, if this is so, they must not be allowed to undertake such work. Where the employer feels that the risk can be avoided or adequately controlled, and the child therefore employed, it is important to ensure that appropriate information, instruction and training is provided, both for the child and for the rest of the workforce.

The principles of risk assessment are the same for children as they are for any other group of people, with additional considerations necessary to allow for their lack of experience and maturity. Supervision arrangements should also be carefully considered, particularly as children may be easily led by a less conscientious member of staff. It is important that they receive thorough instructions and appropriate supervision.

Informing Parents of the Risks

When a child is employed, the employer must inform the parents of:

• The findings of the risk assessment.
• Any protective or preventative measures that are being taken.

The information does not have to be in writing, but it does have to be ‘comprehensive and relevant information’. It must be given to the parents before the employment begins.

Training for Employed children

Even children employed on a part‐time basis should be given training. In addition to training specifically about the job, employers should offer training on the following:

• Safety policy – an explanation of the company’s policy and any relevant sections.
• Child’s personal responsibilities – these should be discussed and emphasised.
• Safety documentation/literature – any relevant documentation should be discussed and distributed.
• Key safety people – these should be introduced where possible, and their functions explained.
• Safe working systems – the particular hazards associated with the work area and work processes should be explained, together with the need to follow safe working practices at all times.
• Manual handling – explain that manual handling should be avoided where possible; demonstrate techniques for safe lifting if relevant.
• Housekeeping – explain why the work area should always be kept tidy and clean.
• Prohibited areas – identify those areas which are out of bounds and why.
• Machinery – identify those items of machinery which must not be operated and why, and explain which pieces of machinery must only be used after training and under supervision; explain the need to report faults, and that repairs should only be carried out by qualified and competent staff.
• Dangerous substances (including cleaning fluids) – explain what is in use within the workplace, storage arrangements and safety precautions; stress the need to read the label.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) – if PPE is provided, explain what it is used for, where it is kept and who is responsible for its maintenance.
• Safety equipment – if safety equipment is used, explain what it is used for, where it is kept and who is responsible for its maintenance and for the training of staff.
• Personal hygiene – show the locations of toilet and washing facilities.
• First aid – explain the arrangements for first aid and show the locations of these facilities.
• Accident reporting – stress the need to report all accidents and near misses, even if no‐one is hurt and there is no damage; show the locations of the accident book and emergency procedures – explain the emergency procedures and, if necessary, practice the procedure with the new starter.
• Smoking, drugs and alcohol – explain the organisation’s policies on smoking, drugs and alcohol; show the location of any smoking and non‐smoking areas.

You may also consider purchasing the ‘Young People at Work’ booklet published by the Health & Safety Executive – ISBN number 0-71761285-6.

I confirm that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out and the parent/carer has been informed of any risks and control measures.

Contact details for parents and education institution

We will send the relevant parties an email so they can complete their section of the form.

Child's first name*

Child's middle name (optional)

Child's last name*

Parent or guardian's email

Contact details for school, home schooling or education institution

Provide a contact email address for the child’s school or education institution, including home schooling.

You do not need to provide contact details if no time off school is required, or if the child is not of school age or not in education.

Your application will be delayed if you do not provide the correct details at this stage.

The child is not of school age or in education

The child does not need any time off school

Email

Application summary

Review the details you have entered. You can change your answers if you need to.

Employer’s Details	Business/Trading Name First Name Middle Name Last Name Email Phone Number Address Where Child is Employed Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City or Town Postcode Head Office Address (if different) Head Office Address Line 1 Head Office Address Line 2 Head Office City or Town Head Office Postcode About the Role Job Title Start Date Child's Duties and Responsibilities Employer's Liability Insurance Company Name Policy Number	Change
Hours of Employment	Hours During School Term (12 hours per week maximum) Total hours per week Other relevant information Hours During School Holidays Total hours per week Other relevant information	Change
Health & Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 Notes for Employers of Children of Compulsory School Age	No	Change
Contact details for parents and education institution	Child's First Name Child's Middle Name Child's Last Name Parent or Guardian's Email Contact Details for School / Education Institution The child is not of school age or in education No The child does not need any time off school No Education Contact Email	Change

Upload supporting documents

A copy of the risk assessment (optional)

A copy of the risk assessment about the part being undertaken by the child (where the child is required to take part in performances of a dangerous nature or will be more than 3 meters above ground level).

Upload a file
For example, a document (pdf, docx, Word) or image (jpeg, png)
Images must be no bigger than 50MB

Signed confirmation (optional)

Signed confirmation with the name of the designated person acting on your behalf (if applicable).

Upload a file
For example, a document (pdf, docx, Word) or image (jpeg, png)
Images must be no bigger than 50MB

We have received your application

Reference ID: ---

Parent URL: Click here
School URL: Click here
Employer URL: Click here

Keep a record of the reference ID shown on this page. You will need this to check the progress of your application or if we need further information.

We have also sent you an email with this reference ID included.

What happens next

We will ask the child’s parents and school or education institution to complete their part of the form. You will receive an email once those parts of the application are complete.

In the meantime, you can track the progress of your application online . You will be asked to enter your name and reference ID.