Child Employment Team

From the age of 13 to the end of Year 11 children are legally allowed to do paid and voluntary work, as long as they have a work permit issued by the Local Authority (Kirklees Council). If a  child is working, even if it is for a friend or for family, a work permit needs to be in place for the work to be legal. Once we have received a work permit application, we check to make sure that risk assessments have been discussed by parents, employers and children, that the work is age appropriate and that the working times are within legal guidelines. We want to make sure that the first experience young people have of the workplace is a positive one.

All children aged 13 to the end of June in Year 11 (school leaving age). As part of the work permit application, process, any disabilities or needs are discussed between the parent and the employer to ensure the tasks are appropriate to each child’s abilities.
Applying for a work permit for children is completely free of charge. Our team will check that the work and its environment complies with legislation and will not damage the child’s education.

Our services are available to everyone; parents, children and employers.  Just contact us by phone, email, or download an information and application pack from the website: 
Children and employment | Kirklees Council