Child employment licences

Children must be at least 13 years old before they can work part-time.

Employers must apply for a work permit within 7 days of employing a child. Failing to do so could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.

Licences are valid until the last Friday in June of the school year when the child turns 16.

Types of permitted work

Examples include:

• agricultural or horticultural work
• newspaper delivery
• shop work
• hairdressing salons
• office work
• riding stables
• domestic work in hotels or other accommodation
• café or restaurant work such as waiting tables

Babysitting for friends or neighbours is not classed as employment.

How to apply

Contact the Child Licensing team at childlicensing@trafford.gov.uk and we will provide you with the information you need to apply.

What happens after you apply

• We check the form and consent are complete
• We confirm the work type is permitted and hours follow legal limits
• We may contact the employer or parent for more information
• If approved, we issue the licence and send copies to the employer and parent or guardian
• The licence lasts until the end of the school year when the child turns 16, unless revoked earlier