A child must be 13 or older to get a part-time job.
Employers need to download and complete an application form for children over 13 years of age to work part-time.
This form must also include the signatures of the child’s parent(s) or carer.
Application forms must sent to us within one week of the employment beginning.
Download the application formBefore you apply
You'll need to know:
- the planned working hours of the child
- their school
- their form / class
What hours a child can work
You must follow the following rules about when a child can work.
School days
Children can work:
- between 7am and 7pm
- for two hours on school days and only one hour before school
- 12 hours per week during term time
Saturdays and school holidays
Children can work:
- 5 hours a day if between 13 and 15 years old
- 8 hours a day if they're 15 and older
Sundays
Children can work for 2 hours on a Sunday.
Children must have two weeks free from work during their school holidays and each year.
Download the Suffolk Bylaws (PDF, 30KB).
Jobs children are allowed to do
Children can do work such as:
- light work in shops or garden centres
- light work in agriculture/horticulture
- delivering newspapers
- office work
- car washing by hand
- shampooing and sweeping up in a hairdressing salon
- waiting at tables
- some work with animals
- in a cafe or restaurant
- in riding stables
Children can only work full-time after they’ve reached the minimum school leaving age and can work up to 40 hours a week.
Download the child employment information leaflet for parents and carers (PDF, 67KB).
Contact us
Telephone: Child Employment office on 01473 265195
Email: childemployment@suffolk.gcsx.gov.uk
Address:
Child Employment OfficeSuffolk County Council
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2BX
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