School children in employment policies
There are basic rules that govern when a young person can work during term time, over school holidays, and other breaks. Below are the times and number of hours a child can work.
Age 13-14
- Term time: No more than 12 hours a week
- School days: 1 hour before school Up to 2 hours after school, no more than 2 hours in total
- Saturday & school holidays: Between 7am & 7pm, no more than 25 hours a week, no more than 5 hours a day
- Sundays: Between 7am & 7pm, no more than 2 hours a day
Age 15-16
- Term time: No more than 12 hours a week
- School days: 1 hour before school, up to 2 hours after school, no more than 2 hours in total
- Saturday & school holidays: Between 7am & 7pm, no more than 35 hours a week, no more than 8 hours a day
- Sundays: Between 7am & 7pm, no more than 2 hours a day
Guidance on child employment
- Child employment policy: policy and procedures for child employment and an employers guide
- The Children (Protection at Work) Regulations 1998: Harrow Byelaws for child employment
- Information on child employment
- Risk Assessment: help from the Health & Safety Executive
- Risk Assessment example
- Risk Assessment for Newspaper Delivery