Councils raise awareness of child employment laws
Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council are raising awareness of the laws in place to protect young people in work, as the country marks Child Employment Month.
While out-and-about, staff are sharing information with schools, businesses, parents and young people to help ensure that school-age children who have a part-time job are working safely and legally.
The National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) is running the national Child Employment Month initiative during April 2014.
Children under the age of 13 years old are not allowed to be employed in any capacity by anyone, including parents and guardians. Employment is ‘to assist in the profit making of a commercial business or trade which is carried out for profit, whether or not payment is received for assistance’.
After a child reaches 13 years of age to the end of their compulsory education, they can work part-time, within rules which are set out to ensure their safety.
The law specifies the permitted hours and types of employment that children can work and makes it essential for employers to obtain a work permit for school-age employees. It includes the rights of the employee and the responsibilities of the employer. Children working without a permit may not be covered by any form of insurance, regardless of the policies that the employer has in place.
Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:
“Many young people benefit from part-time working. It can provide a great introduction to the world of work, help them to develop their confidence and learn a range of skills.
“However it is important to protect the education, health and welfare of school-age employees, and this is why child employment laws exist.
“We want to ensure that employers, young people, parents and the public are aware of these, and know that they can contact us for advice and information about working whilst at school.”
Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet member for children, young people and families, added:
“Many young people are keen to work as soon as the law allows so they can make their own money and gain some level of independence from their parents and guardians.
“But we must remember that these young people are still in full time education and it is their education which must take precedence.
“We don’t want work affecting the potential of any student to achieve their absolute best at school and in the future and this is why it’s so important to follow the laws that are in place to protect the young people and their employers.”
To find out more about Child Employment Month in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, or about the regulations set out to safeguard working young people, please contact child employment officer Kaye Strangwood on 01952 385223.
Information is also available online – click here.
