This guidance document seeks to explain the law on child employment for local authorities, employers, parents and other stakeholders. It include some best practice advice to help those implementing it to deal with the sorts of practical questions they regularly face. This will enable employers to operate as prudently as possible within the legal framework to their benefit and to the benefit of the young people themselves.

This guidance is about the special rules which apply to the employment of children under the school leaving age. It does not cover general employment law.

It is not, and cannot be, an authoritative legal interpretation of the provisions of the relevant Acts of Parliament, byelaws and regulations, which is a matter for the Courts, nor is it intended as a substitute for specific legal advice on particular issues.