When children can work

During Term Time

• Children can work up to 12 hours a week within the restrictions below
  

On a school day

• Children can work for a maximum of two hours (not within school hours) either one hour before school and/or one after school, or two hours after school.

At Weekends

• Children aged 13-14 can work up 5 hours on a Saturday
• Children aged 15-16 can work up to 8 hours on a Saturday
• Children of compulsory school age can work for two hours on a Sunday.
  

During school holidays

• Children aged 13-14 can work up to 25 hours a week, a maximum of 5 hours a day (except Sundays)
• Children aged 15-16 can work up to 35 hours a week, a maximum of 8 hours a day (except Sundays)
  

Holiday entitlement

Children must have a two-week break from work during the year during school holidays.

(Child employment laws apply to all children until they finish compulsory schooling. The child may be 15 or 16 depending on when their birthday falls. The school leaving age is the last Friday in June in the school year in which the child has his or her 16th birthday.)