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Apply for a work permit to employ a child | Birmingham City Council

Apply for a work permit to employ a child

A child is employed when they help in a profit-making trade or business, whether or not they are paid for the work. This includes children working for their family’s business.

Children are allowed to work part time from aged 13 years.

Child employment laws apply to them until the last Friday in June of the year they turn 16 years of age.

Children aged under 13 years can work, or take part in entertainment such as:

  • theatre
  • television
  • paid sporting activities
  • modelling

They will need a child performance licence.

If you want to employ a child in Birmingham

To employ a child in Birmingham you must:

  • apply to the council for a work permit for each child you want to employ, within 7 days of the child starting work with you
  • re-register the children in your employment twice a year. We will send you a reminder
  • follow the law on working hours for children and local bylaws set by the council on the types of work that children can and cannot be employed to do
  • carry out a risk assessment which takes into account the child’s age and maturity
  • tell the child’s parents about any risks, and any measures put in place to protect their child
  • get a signed and stamped declaration from the child’s school

If you do not follow these rules:

  • you are breaking the law and we may take legal action against you
  • you risk not being insured against accidents involving the child and, as the employer, may be personally responsible for any compensation claim if the child is injured at work
  • we will cancel your permit and stop the child working if their health, school attendance, or school work suffers because of their work with you

For more information, watch our YouTube video about child employment work permits

Duke of Edinburgh Award

You do not need a permit because all checks are carried out by the Duke of Edinburgh assessor.

If you decide to offer the young person a voluntary or paid job after they have completed the voluntary work for the Duke of Edinburgh award, you will need to apply for a permit.

if you are not sure if a young person needs a permit to volunteer for your organisation, or would like further information, contact the child employment team.

How to apply

You should apply for a licence with the council in the area the child will be working.

Make sure that you read and understand the statutory requirements for the licence.

If you do not comply with the requirements, you may:

  • lose your licence
  • be prosecuted

Apply for a work permit to employ a child

After you have applied

We will send you an email with your unique application reference ID and a link to track the progress of your application.

If your application is approved

We will send you the original copy of the licence.

If applicable, we will send copies to the child's:

  • school (if they will miss school)
  • parent(s)

Page last updated: 13 May 2026

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