Protecting young workers

The Council is using the milestone to highlight the rules governing the employment of young children and to make sure everyone is aware of their responsibilities.

Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Mark Flewitt, said: "This is a vital issue for young people, and for those who employ them.

"Many young people benefit from part-time working and child employment law exists to safeguard the education, health and welfare of compulsory school-age employees.

"Young people could be left vulnerable to exploitation or injury if their employers fail to fully understand the law.

"Hopefully greater awareness of this will help to ensure more young people are working safely and legally."

Joshua Bolton, 13, has just been presented with the Council's 1,000th child work permit in connection with his newspaper delivery job.

His employer Markandu Kugathas, of London Road Post Office in Leigh, said: "Our young employees do a great job and we have always taken great care to abide by the regulations which are designed to protect them."

Child Employment regulations can be summarised as follows:  

• No child under the age of 13 can be employed, and those between 13 and compulsory school leaving age cannot work before 7am or after 7pm
• A child is "employed" if they assist in any trade or occupation carried on for profit whether or not they receive pay or reward -even if their parent is the employer
• It is the employer's responsibility to apply for a work permit for the child. Parents and schools confirm their consent during this process, and if the local authority are satisfied with the application then a permit is issued - this service is currently free.
• Employers are responsible for ensure the child's health, safety and welfare while working
• A child unregistered for employment with the local authority may not be covered by the employers insurance
• There are limits on the number of hours a child can work, and also the kinds of work they can do
• Although some children will be issued with a National Insurance number before then, they cannot leave school and work fulltime while they are of compulsory school age -currently the last Friday in June of the school year in which they reach their 16th birthday

Prospective employers wishing to obtain information about work permits for children should contact Alan Smith on 01702-212201 or visit www.southend.gov.uk/childemployment