Harrow Council has issued a warning to employers regarding the employment of children between the ages of 13 to 16.
In a tweet posted on their official Twitter account, the council stated that it is a legal requirement for all compulsory school-age children to have a permit to work, and without one, employers risk prosecution.
The council emphasised that these permits are free and urged employers to find out more and apply for them on the harrow.gov.uk website by searching for “Child Employment.”
Do you employ children aged 13-16 years?
It is a legal requirement that all compulsory school age children have a permit to work, WITHOUT them you risk prosecution.
The permits are free. Find out more and apply by visiting https://t.co/YACgd2KGxJ and search for Child Employment pic.twitter.com/4scFVNSXVI
— Harrow Council (@harrow_council) April 17, 2023
Child work permits, also known as “employment permits,” are required in the UK to ensure that children under the age of 16 are not exploited or put in situations that may be harmful to their health, education or development.
The permits are also designed to protect children from working excessive hours or in dangerous conditions.
Under UK law, children under the age of 16 are only allowed to work in certain types of jobs and for a limited number of hours per week, depending on their age.
Employers who hire children under the age of 16 without a valid work permit can face fines and legal action, as can parents or guardians who allow their children to work without a permit.
It is important for employers in Harrow to comply with these regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of young people in the workforce.
