Should children work during school holidays?

There’s usually roughly five minutes from the moment a typical teenager walks out of the school gates on the last day of term to the first time they complain that they’re bored. Keeping them entertained can be a horribly expensive business for parents, but as soon as they’re aged 13 there is another option — and a more lucrative one — because they can work during the holidays.

But, there are a handful of things parents and children need to know first.

How much work can young people can do?

Before the age of 13 young people can’t do any paid work at all. Then when they’re 13 and 14 they’re classed as child workers, so there are rules to follow.

They’re restricted to working 25 hours a week during the school holidays and 12 hours during term time. They’re also limited to five hours a day on weekdays and Saturdays, and two on Sundays.

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Once they’re 15, during the holidays, they can work 35 hours a week (12 hours normally during term time), up to eight hours a day on weekdays and Saturdays and two hours on Sundays.

What jobs can children do?

Under the age of 16, employment options are pretty limited for young people, which is why so many opt for things like paper rounds, babysitting and pet-sitting, or working for the family around the house or garden.

They may also be able to find work in cafes, but this will be subject to the owner being happy to work with restrictions on their hours and types of work they can do.

Are there any other restrictions?

It’s also vital to check if there are any local bylaws which further restrict their work.

One council, for example, rules out employment in a cinema or commercial kitchen, delivering milk, working in a butcher’s or an amusement arcade, and doing telesales or personal care in a care home.

Most will also require you to apply for a work permit if a child is working before the end of Year 11.

How much can young people earn?

Unfortunately, under the age of 16 you’re not entitled to the minimum wage, and don’t need to be put on the payroll because you don’t pay national insurance.

It means rates of pay at this stage can be derisory.

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Once you’re 16, you can work up to 40 hours a week, and 8 hours a day. You also qualify for the minimum wage, but the age band for those aged 16-17 is £6.40 an hour.

Is it worth it?

The restrictions mean some under 18s will decide that they can’t earn enough to make it worth their while. They may then opt for the informal economy, which often involves plenty of input from their parents — touting out their small business start-up to their friends.

Plus, of course, both the teenager and their parents need to be aware of any school work they need to complete, and the need for down time during the holidays.

Some families may decide that in the final analysis, the reward isn’t worth the effort. However, this isn’t just about making a few quid during the summer holidays.

Having some work experience under your belt can be invaluable in teaching young people about the world of work. It can also give you something to put on your CV to get started when you’re looking for a job after your studies have finished.

In some cases, it turns out to be useful, purely because it demonstrates the jobs you never want to have to do ever again.

• Sarah Coles is a personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown and co-presents Switch Your Money On podcast.

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