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Youth Employment in Royston

As part of our commitment to helping Royston to be a vibrant town, Royston First BID is carrying out research for a new potential initiative that will benefit the youth of our town, the business community, and the wider community.

Youth provision has been highlighted as ‘lacking’ by our local policing team, and this has a direct impact on anti-social behaviour.

At Royston First BID, we are looking to facilitate the provision of work opportunities for the young community, specifically 14–16-year-olds.

If the initiative takes off, this may look like a directory on the Royston Town website and promotions to signpost businesses and young people looking for voluntary or paid work.

What are the benefits of Royston First BID’s Youth Employment Project?

For Royston’s young people, the project offers an opportunity to:

For Royston’s businesses, this is an opportunity to:

What next?

We are asking businesses and other organisations in Royston if they can provide a voluntary or paid work opportunity, on a part-time basis to a young person aged 14-16.

To register your interest, please contact us at info@roystonfirst.com by 30th September 2023.

Youth Employment – Criteria and applying for a work permit

This information is correct as of 14th June 2023. Please check bylaws-leaflet-child-work-permits.pdf (hertfordshire.gov.uk) for up-to-date laws

Insurance 

If you chose to employ a young person, they should be covered by your employer’s liability insurance. Always remember to check that you have the relevant employer’s liability insurance, this is required for all employment of children, including work experience.

Working hours – what the law says

Children are not legally allowed to work:

  • Without an employment permit issued by the education department of the local council, if this is required by local bylaws 
  • In places like a factory or industrial site
  • During school hours
  • Before 7am or after 7pm
  • For more than one hour before school (unless local bylaws allow it)
  • For more than 4 hours without taking a break of at least 1 hour
  • In any work that may be harmful to their health, well-being or education
  • Without having a 2-week break from any work during the school holidays in each calendar year

Term time rules

During term time children can legally work a maximum of 12 hours a week. 

This includes:

  • A maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays
  • A maximum of 5 hours on Saturdays for 13 to 14-year-olds, or 8 hours for 15 to 16-year-olds

School holiday rules

During school holidays 13 to 14-year-olds are only allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours a week. 

This includes:

  • A maximum of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
  • A maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

During school holidays 15 to 16-year-olds can only work a maximum of 35 hours a week. 

This includes:

  • A maximum of 8 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
  • A maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

Local rules on the types of work children can do:

  • Local bylaws list the jobs that children cannot do. If a job is on this list, a child under the minimum school leaving age cannot do this work.
  • Local bylaws may also have other restrictions on working hours, conditions of work and the type of employment.
  • Contact your local council’s education department or education welfare service for more information.

Checking the local bylaws and applying for a work permit: