• delivering newspapers or leaflets (this should not include collecting money)
• working in a shop
• being a waitress or waiter in a cafe or restaurant (there are some restrictions with this type of work)
• office work (not within a factory environment)
• shampooing, sweeping up in a hairdressers
• light work on a farm (light agricultural or horticultural work) – please refer to the separate section for more information about this

This is not a complete list

Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of Worcestershire, and the prevalence of small-sized farms in the region means that children may be asked to assist with the everyday running of family farms.

It is important to be aware that the employment of a child on a farm, including a family farm, is subject to the same legislation that applies to the employment of children in general. 

The main points are summarised below:

• the employment of a child in Worcestershire (including in a family business) is subject to an employment permit granted by the local authority, as laid down by the Worcestershire County Council Byelaws on the Employment of Children 1999.
• the legal minimum age of employment is 13, and the relevant definition of “employment” includes paid work, as well as unpaid assistance in a trade or occupation which is carried on for profit
• this means that the employment of a child aged under 13 on a farm (including a family farm) is illegal, where that includes paid work, as well as unpaid assistance if the farm aims to make a profit or surplus
• a child aged 13 to statutory school-leaving age may be employed in “light work” on a farm, subject to a local authority permit as mentioned above. “Light work” is defined as work which, by the nature of the tasks involved and the conditions under which they are performed, is not likely to be harmful to the child’s safety, health, development, or ability to gain full advantage from their education
• there is health and safety legislation which prohibits a child from driving, operating (or helping to operate), maintaining or cleaning a range of farm machinery, as described on page 13 of the Health and Safety Executive leaflet “Preventing accidents to children on farms”, which is available as a free download here: Preventing accidents to children on farms - INDG472 (hse.gov.uk)
• notwithstanding any tasks that may be broadly ‘permitted’ for a child under health and safety legislation, the local authority may further restrict the employment of a child on a farm if that is deemed necessary to uphold the definition of “light work” quoted above
• there are working time regulations which restrict the number of hours per day and week (and times of day) when a child can be employed
• if a farmer or farm holder wishes to employ a child (including their own child), they must apply for an employment permit, and the local authority will decide whether an employment permit can be granted, and if so, any specific restrictions or conditions that will apply to the child’s employment
• an employer who employs a child without a local authority permit, or otherwise in contravention of the relevant legislation, is committing an offence which is liable to prosecution

For more information please see The Worcestershire County Council Byelaws, a summary of the working time regulations that apply to children of compulsory school age, and the employment permit application form.

If you have any queries about the employment of children on farms, please contact the Child Employment Officer on 01905 845640 or email cee@worcestershire.gov.uk. 

• in a commercial kitchen (fish and chip shop)
• in a factory
• delivering milk
• telephone sales
• preparation of food
• in a residential care or nursing home providing personal care
• working in a shop selling alcohol
• working in a chemist dispensing drugs and medicines
• a fairground or amusement arcade
• collecting or sorting of rags or refuse
• cleaning windows more than 3 meters above the ground
• work involving exposure to adult content
• any work which may be described as dangerous

This is not a complete list.

The employment of children of compulsory school age is subject to Working Time Regulations laid down by Section 18 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (as amended): Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (legislation.gov.uk). Those Regulations are summarized below.

All children remain of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June of the school year in which they have their sixteenth birthday. A school year runs from 1 September until the following 31 August.

The references to 16* below denote a 16 year old who is still of compulsory school age, that is, who has not reached their official school leaving date as described above.

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to employ a child of compulsory school age, you must apply for an employment permit to the local authority in whose area the work is taking place.

• no child may be employed before 7.00am or after 7.00pm on any day of the year
• during term time, a child aged 13 or 14 may be employed for up to 2 hours on any single school day (outside of school hours), for up to 5 hours on Saturdays, and for up to 2 hours on Sundays – subject to a maximum of 12 hours in any week
• during term time, a child aged 15 or 16* may be employed for up to 2 hours on any single school day (outside of school hours), for up to 8 hours on Saturdays, and for up to 2 hours on Sundays – subject to a maximum of 12 hours in any week
• during school holidays, a child aged 13 or 14 may be employed for up to 5 hours on any day (with the exception of Sundays, where a 2 hour limit still applies) – subject to a maximum of 25 hours in any week
• during school holidays, a child aged 15 or 16* may be employed for up to 8 hours on any day (with the exception of Sundays, where a 2 hour limit still applies) – subject to a maximum of 35 hours in any week
• child must have appropriate rest breaks on any day of employment, including that if the child works for four hours continuously, they must then have a rest break of at least one hour before resuming their employment
• in each calendar year a child must have at least two consecutive weeks without employment that are taken during a period in which the child is not required to attend school (a school holiday period)

• the law states that those who employ children are responsible for applying for a work permit for a child of  school age.
• you can apply for a work permit by downloading the application form for employment permit.
• you must have Public and Employers Liability Insurance
• you must prepare a risk assessment for each employee's set of duties and a copy of this must be given to the parent/carer at the time they sign the application form, giving their permission for the child to be employed
• you must ensure that you train the child for the job and make them aware of any risks which may be involved
• you must supply the child with any necessary safety equipment and clothing
• you must not ask any child to undertake work which has not previously been agreed with the Child Employment Office supplying the work permit
• you must ensure the child's welfare at all times whilst in your employment
• you should encourage children to let you know if there is anything that is causing them concern

• always ensure that if your child works they have a valid work permit
• if your child does not have a work permit then they are illegally employed and are not covered by the employers insurance
• always ask to see a copy of the risk assessment so that you are fully aware of the duties your child will be undertaking to ensure that your child's safety and welfare have been considered
• if your child is asked to work hours in excess of those agreed, notify the Child Employment Office
• remember your child will not be insured if they work outside of the times granted by the Child Employment Office
• if you feel your child is carrying out duties outside of those agreed or you have concerns about their safety or welfare at the place of employment, then notify the Child Employment Office
• as the parent or carer you should ensure that your child does not work without a work permit
• if the Child Employment Office notifies you that the work permit has been revoked, you will be informed of the reason
• if you allow your child to carry on working without the permit, both you and the employer will be held responsible
• if your child fails to attend school on a regular basis a work permit will not be issued and your child will be unable to undertake part-time work

Children taking part in performances is governed by the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (sections 37 and 39) and The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014.

This legislation applies to all children from birth until they leave school. A licence must be obtained from the local authority where the child lives if the performance meets ANY ONE of the following criteria:

• an admission or other charge is made for the performance
• the performance is taking place on premises licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol
• the performance is being broadcast, or recorded with a view to its use in a broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition
• the child is taking part in paid sport or paid modelling.

The applicant for the licence should be the person responsible for the production of the performance (e.g. theatre show) in which the child is taking part; or the person responsible for organising, or engaging the child in, the activity (e.g. paid modelling).

As the licence holder, that person will be responsible for observing the restrictions and conditions subject to which the licence is granted.

Download: Application Form

A child taking part in a performance to which the legislation applies may be granted an exemption from the licensing procedures if the following conditions are met:

1. by taking part the child will not have performed on more than 4 days in the 6 months leading up to and including the last date of performance for which the current application is being made (this includes performances for other organisations in the relevant period, but not school productions); AND
2. no school absence is required for the child to take part in the performance; AND
3. no payment, except for defraying expenses, is made to the child or any other person in respect of the child's participation.

Alternatively,an exemption may be granted if the performance is arranged by an organisation which has been given Body of Persons approval by the Secretary of State or the local authority in whose area the performance is taking place, subject to conditions (2) and (3) above also being met.

In order to keep a record of the children participating (who may then require a licence for future performances), and because many of the same regulations apply to performances for which a licence is not required, we request an application in these circumstances from the person responsible for the production of the performance.

Download: Exemption application form

A child who has been licensed to take part in a performance has to be supervised at all times by either their own parent (legal guardian) or a local authority approved chaperone.

Please note that grandparents, aunts and uncles, child minders, etc. are NOT legal guardians (unless they are recognised as such by the courts) and therefore need to be approved by a local authority in order to act as the child's chaperone. A parent, unless they are an approved chaperone, cannot be responsible for children other than their own.

While it is good practice for children who have been granted an exemption from the licensing procedures to be supervised by a local authority approved chaperone, this is not a requirement in law.  However, the employment of any adult, if not the child's own parent, to supervise children in such circumstances should comply with the Disclosure and Barring Service guidance on the checks that are required for adults working with children in a "regulated activity".

Those living in Worcestershire who are interested in becoming an approved chaperone can contact the Child Employment and Entertainment Licensing Officer for information about the registration process