Employment of Children - Permit and Bye-Laws
A booklet is available for pupils, parents and employers which is intended to be a summary of the bye-laws relating to the employment of children within Perth & Kinross. It refers to young people under 16. A copy of this booklet or a full copy of the bye-laws is available from either the Council Secretary, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH or the Executive Director (Education & Children's Services), Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD.
Adherence to the bye-laws is the responsibility of the employer. Failure to do so can lead to a fine of up to £1000.
Employers should note that the bye-laws require them to complete an application for each child who is employed by them. This should be done within one week of the child beginning work. Applications are available from:
Education & Children's Services
Pullar House
35 Kinnoull Street
Perth
PH1 5GD
Tel: 01738 476217
Email: ecsschools@pkc.gov.uk
Legally Education & Children's Services must receive the following information from employers:
- Employer's name and address
- Name, address and date of birth of the child
- Hours and days to worked and type jobs to be done
- The place of employment
- A statement of the child's fitness to work
- Parental approval
- Details about the school the child attends
- Statement that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out by the employer
Education & Children's Services will issue a permit if:
- The proposed employment is lawful
- The child's health, welfare or education will not be affected
- The child is fit to undertake the work
If criteria are not met a letter is sent out stating this.
A medical examination may be necessary to ensure that the child is well enough to do the job. Education & Children's Services would make arrangements for this through the parent.
The permit will state:
- Name and address and date of birth of the child
- Hours and days to be worked
- Occupation in which the child is employed
- Details of the tasks involved.
- Place of employment
The child can be employed only in accordance with the details on the permit. This can be changed if the employer requests it in writing, within one week of the change of duties.
The permit can be withdrawn if Education & Children's Services thinks that:
- The child is being unlawfully employed
- The child's health, welfare or education are being affected.
A copy of the permit is sent to the school. Staff in schools, as officers of the Council, are entitled to ask to see the permit for inspection if they feel that a young person is working outwith the permitted hours or types of employment [pdf 22KB].
The child must produce the permit for inspection when asked by an officer of the Council or a police officer.
No child shall be employed:
- Before the close of school hours on any school day
- After 8 am on any school day
- Before 7 am or after 7 pm on any day
- For more than 2 hours on any school day
- For more than 4 hours in any day without a rest break of one hour
- Without having two consecutive weeks without employment in any one year
- If under 15, for more than 5 hours a day or 25 hours a week on any non-school day/week
- If over 15, for more than 8 hours a day or 35 hours a week on any non-school day/week
- For more than 2 hours on a Sunday.
For further information, please contact:
The Admin Officer - Support Services
Education & Children's Services
Pullar House
35 Kinnoull Street
PERTH
PH1 5GD
Tel: 01738 476217
Email: ecsschools@pkc.gov.uk
