Apply for a child employment permit

What Counts as ‘Work’ for Children?

If you're under the Minimum School Leaving Age (MSLA), “work” means any activity that’s part of a business – whether you’re paid or not.

Babysitting isn’t classed as work under the law.
Children can start working from age 13, but only in roles that involve light duties.
The statutory school leaving date is the last Friday in June of the school year when a child turns 16.

Please note - work experience does not fall under child employment legislation and does not require a permit. Only work organised by the child's school can be considered 'work experience'. Work of any other kind falls under child employment legislation.

Work permits - what you need to know

All children who are employed must have a work permit.

Who Can Apply?

Only the employer can apply for a work permit – not the parent, carer, or child.
The permit must be issued by the local authority where the child will work, even if they live or go to school elsewhere.

What’s Required?

A risk assessment must be completed and shared with the child’s parent or carer.
A job checklist must be submitted with the application.
A job checklist must be submitted with the form. (PDF, 391.2 KB)

When Children Cannot Be Employed

Children are not allowed to work in the following situations:

Working in a factory or on a building site
Operating or being near dangerous equipment
Any job that poses significant health and safety risks
In cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, or similar venues (unless licensed to perform)
Selling or delivering alcohol (except sealed containers)
Delivering milk or fuel oils
In commercial kitchens or with refuse collection
In roles involving exposure to harmful substances
At heights over 3 metres
Door-to-door sales or collections (unless supervised by an adult)
In telephone sales
In environments with adult content or unsuitable material
In slaughterhouses or butchery areas
As attendants in fairgrounds, arcades, or similar amusement venues

The permitted and prohibited lists are not exhaustive, contact the child employment officer if in doubt

Please note - Work permits will not be issued for any child between the hours of 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, during school terms.

5 minute guide to child employment (PDF, 109.9 KB)

What Counts as ‘Work’ for Children?

If you're under the Minimum School Leaving Age (MSLA), “work” means any activity that’s part of a business – whether you’re paid or not.

Babysitting isn’t classed as work under the law.
Children can start working from age 13, but only in roles that involve light duties.
The statutory school leaving date is the last Friday in June of the school year when a child turns 16.

Please note - work experience does not fall under child employment legislation and does not require a permit. Only work organised by the child's school can be considered 'work experience'. Work of any other kind falls under child employment legislation.

Work permits - what you need to know

All children who are employed must have a work permit.

Who Can Apply?

Only the employer can apply for a work permit – not the parent, carer, or child.
The permit must be issued by the local authority where the child will work, even if they live or go to school elsewhere.

What’s Required?

A risk assessment must be completed and shared with the child’s parent or carer.
A job checklist must be submitted with the application.
A job checklist must be submitted with the form. (PDF, 391.2 KB)

When Children Cannot Be Employed

Children are not allowed to work in the following situations:

Working in a factory or on a building site
Operating or being near dangerous equipment
Any job that poses significant health and safety risks
In cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, or similar venues (unless licensed to perform)
Selling or delivering alcohol (except sealed containers)
Delivering milk or fuel oils
In commercial kitchens or with refuse collection
In roles involving exposure to harmful substances
At heights over 3 metres
Door-to-door sales or collections (unless supervised by an adult)
In telephone sales
In environments with adult content or unsuitable material
In slaughterhouses or butchery areas
As attendants in fairgrounds, arcades, or similar amusement venues

The permitted and prohibited lists are not exhaustive, contact the child employment officer if in doubt

Please note - Work permits will not be issued for any child between the hours of 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, during school terms.

5 minute guide to child employment (PDF, 109.9 KB)

Important Update: How to Apply for a Work Permit

From 12 January 2026, you must use the new online application form to apply for a Child Employment Permit.

Paper forms will no longer be accepted after 1 February 2026.

Key Information

Employment permit applications should be submitted within 7 days of the employment start date.
You do not need to wait for the permit to be issued before employment begins.

Before You Apply

Please complete the most appropriate job checklist template below.
You will need to attach the checklist when completing the application form.

Apply for an Employment Permit

Complete the online application form here:
Apply for an Employment Permit (Online Form)

Feedback and Support

As this is a new process, there may be some initial issues. We welcome your feedback to help improve the system.

If you need assistance with completing any of these forms, please contact us using the details below.

Important Update: How to Apply for a Work Permit

From 12 January 2026, you must use the new online application form to apply for a Child Employment Permit.

Paper forms will no longer be accepted after 1 February 2026.

Key Information

Employment permit applications should be submitted within 7 days of the employment start date.
You do not need to wait for the permit to be issued before employment begins.

Before You Apply

Please complete the most appropriate job checklist template below.
You will need to attach the checklist when completing the application form.

Apply for an Employment Permit

Complete the online application form here:
Apply for an Employment Permit (Online Form)

Feedback and Support

As this is a new process, there may be some initial issues. We welcome your feedback to help improve the system.

If you need assistance with completing any of these forms, please contact us using the details below.

If you have safeguarding concerns about a child please ring the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01452 426565. If a child is in immediate danger ring 999.

If you have concerns about the employment of a child, please complete the following form with as much detail as you can provide:

Reporting concerns

If you have safeguarding concerns about a child please ring the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01452 426565. If a child is in immediate danger ring 999.

If you have concerns about the employment of a child, please complete the following form with as much detail as you can provide:

Reporting concerns

Education Inclusion Service
Gloucestershire County Council
3rd Floor, Block 4
Shire Hall
Westgate Street
Gloucester GL1 2TP

childemp@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Telephone: 01452 427868

Education Inclusion Service
Gloucestershire County Council
3rd Floor, Block 4
Shire Hall
Westgate Street
Gloucester GL1 2TP

childemp@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Telephone: 01452 427868

Does a 17 year old need a work permit?	No. Work permits are only required until the last Friday in June in the year in which a child turns 16 (usually at the end of Year 11). If you’re a young person (aged 16-18) with concerns about your employment you can contact ACAS or Citizens’ Advice for support https://www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-apprentices-and-work-experience
My employee has finished year 11 but isn't 16 until August, do they need a permit?	No. August born children still stop being compulsory school age at the end of June so will not require a permit
Who needs to apply for the work permit?	The employer should apply for the work permit. We cannot accept applications from the young person or parent.
My employee will be working variable hours, how do I include this on the application?	We understand that some employees will not have the same shifts each week or may be working according to demand. Please complete the form with an example week, showing the earliest and latest times they could be asked to work and the maximum hours they could be doing in any week.
My employee lives in Gloucestershire but they work in Herefordshire, to which authority should I apply for a work permit?	Work permits are issued by the local authority in which the child is working.
Do we have to wait for the permit before a child can start work?	No. Permit application is should be made within 7 days of the child commencing employment. You do not need to wait until the permit has been issued before they can start work. If the child hasn’t yet started work when you apply for the permit, please make sure to include a start date on the application as we must have this to issue a permit.
What kind of work can I do?	The type of work young people can do is restricted and can vary with age. More information can be found on our webpage and 5 minute guide Apply for a child employment permit \| Gloucestershire County Council https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/vgypxzby/220803-employment-5-min-guide.pdf
Do I need a work permit to volunteer?	It depends. A permit is required if you are working for a ‘for profit’ organisation even if you are not being paid. For example, you will need a permit to volunteer in a charity shop or a riding stables, but not to support a Brownie group or community litter picking. This also applies if you are volunteering as part of your Duke of Edinburgh award.
What hours can I work?	Hours are restricted depending on age, more information can be found on our website but no young person can work before 7am or past 7pm and can only work for a maximum of 2 hours. Apply for a child employment permit \| Gloucestershire County Council https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/vgypxzby/220803-employment-5-min-guide.pdf
Do I need a work permit to babysit?	No, babysitting doesn’t require a work permit.
Do I need a permit to work in a riding stables?	Yes. Riding stables are subject to the same rules as any other employment. Even if you are working in exchange for lessons instead of being paid, you will need a permit.

Does a 17 year old need a work permit?	No. Work permits are only required until the last Friday in June in the year in which a child turns 16 (usually at the end of Year 11). If you’re a young person (aged 16-18) with concerns about your employment you can contact ACAS or Citizens’ Advice for support https://www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-apprentices-and-work-experience
My employee has finished year 11 but isn't 16 until August, do they need a permit?	No. August born children still stop being compulsory school age at the end of June so will not require a permit
Who needs to apply for the work permit?	The employer should apply for the work permit. We cannot accept applications from the young person or parent.
My employee will be working variable hours, how do I include this on the application?	We understand that some employees will not have the same shifts each week or may be working according to demand. Please complete the form with an example week, showing the earliest and latest times they could be asked to work and the maximum hours they could be doing in any week.
My employee lives in Gloucestershire but they work in Herefordshire, to which authority should I apply for a work permit?	Work permits are issued by the local authority in which the child is working.
Do we have to wait for the permit before a child can start work?	No. Permit application is should be made within 7 days of the child commencing employment. You do not need to wait until the permit has been issued before they can start work. If the child hasn’t yet started work when you apply for the permit, please make sure to include a start date on the application as we must have this to issue a permit.
What kind of work can I do?	The type of work young people can do is restricted and can vary with age. More information can be found on our webpage and 5 minute guide Apply for a child employment permit \| Gloucestershire County Council https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/vgypxzby/220803-employment-5-min-guide.pdf
Do I need a work permit to volunteer?	It depends. A permit is required if you are working for a ‘for profit’ organisation even if you are not being paid. For example, you will need a permit to volunteer in a charity shop or a riding stables, but not to support a Brownie group or community litter picking. This also applies if you are volunteering as part of your Duke of Edinburgh award.
What hours can I work?	Hours are restricted depending on age, more information can be found on our website but no young person can work before 7am or past 7pm and can only work for a maximum of 2 hours. Apply for a child employment permit \| Gloucestershire County Council https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/vgypxzby/220803-employment-5-min-guide.pdf
Do I need a work permit to babysit?	No, babysitting doesn’t require a work permit.
Do I need a permit to work in a riding stables?	Yes. Riding stables are subject to the same rules as any other employment. Even if you are working in exchange for lessons instead of being paid, you will need a permit.

What is a child employment permit for?

What Counts as ‘Work’ for Children?

Work permits - what you need to know

When Children Cannot Be Employed

What Counts as ‘Work’ for Children?

Work permits - what you need to know

When Children Cannot Be Employed

Important Update: How to Apply for a Work Permit

Key Information

Before You Apply

Apply for an Employment Permit

Feedback and Support

Important Update: How to Apply for a Work Permit

Key Information

Before You Apply

Apply for an Employment Permit

Feedback and Support

If you have safeguarding concerns about a child please ring the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01452 426565. If a child is in immediate danger ring 999.

If you have safeguarding concerns about a child please ring the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01452 426565. If a child is in immediate danger ring 999.