Cardiff Council is warning businesses they could face heavy fines if they employ children unlawfully.
During National Child Employment Fortnight, the Council is taking the opportunity to raise awareness among businesses, parents and children that laws exist to safeguard the employment of children from the 13 years of age.
Children cannot be employed before 7am or after 7pm during term or holiday time until they reach compulsory school leaving age.
Children in Cardiff need a work permit from the council to take on a part-time job that is subject to certain hours and types of work. In order to obtain a work permit, a risk assessment appropriate to the age and inexperience of the child must be undertaken, and any measures that are subsequently put in place should be passed on to the child’s parents or guardian
This system helps the Council work in partnership with employers to offer support and advice as well as keeping track of where children are working, the number of hours they work, and that the nature of their employment is appropriate.
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Freda Salway, said:
“Getting some valuable work experience is often a rewarding and beneficial experience for young people. Child Employment laws exist to safeguard the education, health and welfare of compulsory school age employees. However, not everyone knows about the regulations in place to ensure young people’s safety when they are working.
“Cardiff Council’s Schools & Lifelong Learning Service Safeguarding Team helps ensure this legislation is enforced, that children are properly looked after at their place of work and that their employment does not interfere with their education. I would encourage employers to make sure they understand their responsibilities and work with our officers to ensure they are complying with the legislation.”
Different rules apply to young people of different ages. An information leaflet detailing the various regulations, along with work permit application forms, is available from Cardiff Council’s Safeguarding Team on 029 2062 9889 or by emailing [email protected] or can be found on the Council’s website: www.cardiff.gov.uk
