Child employment•Salford City Council

If your child is aged 13 to 16 and wants to work part-time while they are still of compulsory school age, they must have a Child Employment Permit.

These laws help make sure children work safely, do suitable jobs, and do not work too many hours.

Apply for a Child Employment Permit

Employers must apply for a Child Employment Permit within seven days of the child starting work.

Apply online:

Apply for a Child Employment Work Permit

The application must be completed by the employer and agreed by the child's parent or guardian.

If the application is approved, a Child Employment Permit will be issued and confirmation will be sent to the employer.

Important: If an employer does not apply for a permit within seven days of the child starting work, they may be breaking the law and could face prosecution. They may also not be covered by insurance if the child is involved in an accident at work.

Before employing a child

Employers must ensure that:

the job is suitable for a child of compulsory school age
the working hours comply with child employment legislation
a suitable health and safety risk assessment has been completed
the child has the required supervision and support

Who can work?

Children can usually work part-time from the age of 13, provided they:

have a valid Child Employment Permit
work in a permitted job
work only during the permitted hours

Children remain subject to child employment laws until they reach the minimum school leaving age, which is the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16.

Children working in entertainment

Children working in:

television
theatre
modelling

will normally need a Child Performance Licence instead of, or in addition to, a Child Employment Permit.

Permitted work

Children aged 13 and over may carry out light work in approved occupations, including:

newspaper delivery
shop work, including shelf stacking
office work
work in cafés or restaurants
domestic work in hotels

For the full list of permitted occupations, please refer to the Child Employment Bylaws.

Working hours

Children must not work:

during school hours
before 7am or after 7pm
for more than 12 hours during a school week
for more than two hours on a school day (either up to two hours after school, or one hour before school and one hour after school)
for more than two hours on a Sunday
for more than five hours on Saturdays or during school holidays if aged 13 or 14
for more than eight hours on Saturdays or during school holidays if aged 15 or 16
for more than 25 hours a week during school holidays if aged 13 or 14
for more than 35 hours a week during school holidays if aged 15 or 16

Children must also:

have a one-hour break after working for four continuous hours
have two consecutive weeks free from work during the school holidays each year

Prohibited work

Children of compulsory school age must not work:

delivering milk
delivering fuel oils
in commercial kitchens
in slaughterhouses or butchers' preparation areas
more than three metres above ground or floor level
collecting or sorting refuse
collecting money, or selling or canvassing door to door
in work involving harmful chemicals, biological or physical hazards
where they may be exposed to adult material or unsuitable situations
in telephone sales
in cinemas, theatres, dance halls or nightclubs (unless covered by a Child Performance Licence)
on garage premises or selling petrol
in licensed betting offices
operating dangerous machinery

Need help?

If you need advice about child employment, the Child Employment Bylaws or the application process, please contact the Child Employment Team.

Telephone: 0161 603 4350
Email: childemployment@salford.gov.uk

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This page was last updated on 3 August 2026

Child employment