Children licences

What you need to know

The government has issued guidance on the restrictions on child employment

Children can work in the following settings:

• agricultural or horticultural work
• delivery of newspapers, journals and other printed materials
• shop work including shelf stacking
• hairdressing salon work
• car washing by hand in a private residential area
• work in a café or restaurant
• domestic work in hotels and other establishments offering accommodation
• work in a riding stables (a child under 16 cannot supervise riding or be left in charge of the stables)

Children cannot work in the following settings:

• work in a pub
• work in a betting shop
• personal care in a residential or nursing home
• work in a fairground or arcade
• milk delivery
• any other occupation that may be harmful to the child's health, well being or education

Both employers and parents are responsible for ensuring that each child:

• does not exceed the permitted number of working hours
• is in a good state of health for the work they are undertaking
• is dressed appropriately to undertake the work they are permitted to do
• undertakes only the tasks as stated in their work permit

Applying for a work permit

Employers who employ children aged 13 to 16 must apply for an employment permit from the council where the business is based.

An employer's children's work permit application form (PDF) [131KB] must be completed before the child starts work.

You must attach the following with the application form:

• a headshot photo
• a copy of their birth certificate or passport if the child has one
• a risk assessment (which must be completed)

For further guidance on child work permit please visit National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment.

Applications need to be sent within 2 weeks of employment starting.

Online applications only will be accepted.

Download and complete the children's work permit application form (PDF) [131KB]. Then email it to applicationsadmin@hillingdon.gov.uk