Leicester City Council - A Guide for Young People and their Parents

A Guide for Young People and their Parents

Employment

WHAT WORK CAN YOU DO
Leicester City Council has drawn up new "Employment of Children" byelaws following recent Government changes to the law. They are not intented to stop you from working, however, we are keen to protect you from being exploited, or from damaging your health, well being or education while you are working.

The Byelaws state that

"Any young person of compulsory School age who is employed, must have a licence issued by the City Council. A person ceases to be of compulsory School age on the last friday in June in the School age on the last Friday in June in the school year which they become 16."

The licence specifies the task, hours, days and where you can work.

If you are under 13 years old you cannot work.

At age 13

You are only allowed to do light work in the following areas:

Agricultural or horticultural businesses.
Newspaper delivery.
Shop work including shelf.
Hairdressing Salons.
Office Work.
Cafes or Restaurants. (front of house only)
Riding Stables, Kennels and catteries/
Domestic work in hotels.
Car washing in private residential setting.

At age 14 or over

You can do light work:

Which is not harmful to your safety, health and development.
Which does not interfere with your school day.

What work can't you do?

No young person - of any age - can work in a:

Cinema, Theatre or Disco, Dance Hall or Night Club
Commercial Kitchen.
Slaughter House, Butchery or preparing meat for sale.
Fairground, Amusement Arcade or premises with game and gambling machines.

You Can't

Collect or sort refuse
Work more than 3 metres off the ground or with harmful chemicals.
Work where there is access to adult material unsuitable for children.
Be responsible for the personal needs of residents in care or nursing homes.
Sell or deliver alcohol (except in sealed containers)
Deliver milk or fuel oils
Collect money, sell or canvass door to door or by telephone.

Can you work at any time?

No. You can't work during school hours. Neither can you work:

Before 7:00 am or after 7:00pm on any day or for more than
2 hours on a school day or sundays
12 hours per week during school time term
5 hours in any other day (8 hours if 15 years or over)
25 hours a week (35 hours if 15 years or over during school holidays>
4 hours without a break of one hour.

Also you must have two consecutive work-free weeks each year.

How do you get a licence?

Your employer must notify us within a week of you starting work. They must tell us:

Their name and address.
Your name, address and date of birth.
Your proposed working hours and days.
Your place of work.
The type of work you will be doing.
The name of your school.
That risk and safety assessments have been carried out.
That they have Employers' Liability Insurance.

Also they must have your parents' consent and their agreement that you are fit to work. Also their assurance that the work will not affect your education and school attendance.

Licence

Can the Licence be changed?
Yes. Your employers can request amendments from time to time.

Can the licence be withdrawn?
Yes We can take the Licence away if we believe:

The work you are doing is illegal.
That your health, well being or education is suffering.

If you do not have a licence you may not be insured against accidents, injury or illness caused by work.

We will issue a Licence if we are satisfied that:

The work is legal.
Your well being and education will not suffer.

A medical examination may be required before a licence is issued.

If asked you must show your licence to police or City Council officials on request.

Children in performances

There are different regulations governing the licencing of children involved in cultural, artistic, sports or advertising activites.

Information

If you would like some more information please contact:

Leicester City Education Welfare Service
Collegiate House
Collegiate Street
Leicester
LE2 0JX

Telephone: 0116 221 1260
Fax: 0116 221 1261

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