Apply for permission to employ a child

Get permission so that a child of school age can work for you

Rules for employers

You need to apply for permission to employ a child if the child is of school age.

School age lasts until the last Friday in June of the school year in which the child becomes 16 years old.

Check where and when children can work and read the rules employers need to follow.

A child needs to be at least 13 years old to work part-time, unless they work in TV, film, theatre, sport or modelling.

Apply by post or email

Download the Apply for a work permit to employ a child application (PDF 188KB).

Return the completed form:

More information

Get more information about child employment and working hours for children on the GOV.UK website