Work permits for children
All young people aged 13 or over, who are of compulsory school
age and are working, must by law have a work permit. This is the
case even if they are working for their parents. Children under the
age of 13 are not allowed to work.
All applications for work permits for children are free and must
be made by the employer.
Employers can be prosecuted if they:
- do not obtain a work permit for their school age employees
- employ school age children in a job they are not allowed to
do
- allow school age children to work outside the hours permitted
by law
The Association of British Insurers has stated that unless a
child has a valid work permit, they may not be included under the
employers liability insurance.
To apply for a work permit for a child please download
the guidance
notes and work permit application form (PDF, 22k).
How to contact us
The child employment team provides advice to employers and
families on the regulations for the employment of children.
Child Employment Team
Pupil Services
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 5006
Fax: 020 7364 4311
Email: pupil.services@towerhamlets.gov.uk