Children in Employment, Entertainment and chaperone licensing

There is legislation in place to protect children who are of compulsory school age and who work part-time or who are involved in entertainment, sporting activities or modelling.

The law states that a child can start work at the age of 13. A work permit is required when a child has a part time job and a permit is required up to the last Friday in June in the academic year in which they turn 16.

If a child finds a part-time job they will need to apply for a work permit from Cambridgeshire County Council. This must be signed by the parents / carers, their employer and their school (not required during school holidays).

There are restrictions on the type of work they can do and the hours they can work.

The child employment leaflet below explains the type of work and hours that children (who are of compulsory school age) are legally allowed to do.

Main points:

• A work permit is required even if a child is working as a volunteer (unpaid work) e.g working in a charity shop
• A work permit is required even if a child is working for a family business
• A child can have more than one job and a work permit is required for each job

10.2 - Child Employment Leaflet August 2020

10.6 - Application for a work permit for a school-aged child August 2020

School Responsibility

• Schools have an important role to play in promoting Child Employment Regulations
• Schools should ensure they have an up to date supply of Child Employment Leaflets and Work Permit Application forms

School Promotion

Ways in which a school can promote the legal requirement for work permits and promote child employment regulations:

• Schools are encouraged to use the Child Employment PowerPoint Presentation in PHSE lessons and assemblies
  10.9 Child Employment Presentation – Audience Children August 2020
• Have a section on the school website with information on Child Employment
• Have a section in school Newsletters with information on Child Employment

Revoking a work permit

The Local Authority may at any time revoke a child's employment permit if it has reasonable grounds to believe:-

(a) that the child is being unlawfully employed; or

(b) that his health, welfare or ability to take advantage of his education is suffering or likely to suffer as a result of the employment.

Should you have any concerns regarding a child working please email child.employment@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 01354 750166

There are regulations covering children working in entertainment (this covers children from birth to end of compulsory school leaving age), which includes restrictions on the working hours / breaks. The link for the performance hours and breaks can be found below:

10.5 - Children in Entertainment - Performance Hours and Breaks February 2015

More information on children in entertainment can be found on GOV.UK or by calling the child employment team on 01354 750 166.

Time off school to take part in Performances

Legislation sets out that a Local Authority Performance Licence must be obtained before a child can take part in a performance. The license will specify the dates that a child is to be absent from school to perform. The Head Teacher should authorise those days with a C code. A copy will be sent to the school for their record of the Performance Licence issued by the Local Authority.

However, where the terms of the license do not specify dates i.e. auditions, it is at the discretion of the Head Teacher to authorise leave of absence. Head teachers should be sympathetic to requests that are supported by a licence, as long as the school remains satisfied that this will not have a negative effect on a child’s education.

Should you have concerns regarding a child’s attendance please contact your Local Authority Attendance Officer.

Children in entertainment can be looked after either by their own parent or a licensed chaperone. To apply to become a chaperone or for more information call the child employment team on 01354 750166.