Working under 16

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Homepage > Job Search > Working Under 16

Finding a job

Here at Connexions we only advertise jobs and apprenticeships available for young people who have reached mandatory school leaving age. If you are under the mandatory school leaving age there are certain rules about:

what work you can do
where you can work
when you can work
how long you can work

These rules are in place for your safety and well-being. To find out more about these rules read our article on child employment.

Mandatory school leaving age

You are under school leaving age up to the last Friday in June during the academic year that you turn 16. This means that if your birthday is in July, August or after the last Friday in June you will reach mandatory school leaving age when you are 15. If your birthday is in any other month, or before the last Friday in June, you will be 16 before you have reached the mandatory school leaving age.

Work permits

For whatever type of work you want to do, you will require a work permit. These are issued by your local authority and it is the responsibility of your employer to apply for a child employment permit.

Types of jobs available

Now that you have read our article on child employment here are some ideas about the types of organisations you may wish to approach. It is a good idea to approach organisations with a parent or guardian to ensure your personal safety. This will allow you to earn some money and gain vital work experience. You may wish to approach:

local convenience stores
newsagents
riding stables
vetinary surgeries

Volunteering

Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to gain work experience and this can help improve your chances of getting a job. It could give you the stepping stone you need to work towards your dream job. You will still require a work permit and the organisation or charity will need to abide by the child employment laws in place to ensure your health and safety.

Further support

For further advice about the types of jobs available to you contact the Essex Child Employment Team. For information, advice and guidance on the types of jobs and learning opportunities available to you, contact your local Connexions Centre.

Help Lines

Essex Child Employment Team – 01245 436743

Southend Child Employment Team – 01702 215909

Thurrock Child Employment Officer – 01375 652568

Connexions Direct – 080 800 13 2 19

Your Comments

Posted - 10:39, 10 Jul 2008

thanks for helping but you could of given me abit more information because maybe i want to work in a shop

Posted - 02:31, 14 Jul 2008

Yes you can work in a shop providing your employer obtains a Child Employment Permit, however many shopkeepers are reluctant to employ anyone under school leaving age because of the restrictions that are in place. You can read more about these restrictions in our article on child employment found through the left hand-side navigation under 'Work'/'At work'. For more enquiries please contact the relevant child employment team. Essex Child Employment Team - 01245 436 736 Southend Child Employment Team - 01702 215909 Thurrock Child Employment Team - 01375 652502

Posted - 10:30, 23 Aug 2008

hi, i am desperate for a job i need money for my hockey tour and for college and saving up for university for i have gone to chelsmford braintree witham halstead sudbury everywhere but i dont care where i work

Posted - 10:46, 23 Aug 2008

Hi, finding a suitable job can sometimes be difficult but we can help. You can search all our vacancies online under "Job search/Search for local jobs". You can also call into your Nearest Connexions Centre or One Stop Shop and speak to a trained personal adviser. Not only will they support you to find a job but they will guide and assist you through the application process. Best of luck, and we look forward to helping you. Connexions

Posted - 10:17, 01 Sep 2008

Thats a bit point less you should have some where to search for jobs undder 16...do you have any idea how hard it is to find a job.

Posted - 11:46, 03 Sep 2008

Thanks for your comment. We currently don't advertise vacancies for young people who have not finished school; however we will take your feedback into consideration for future arrangements. A Connexions Personal Adviser in your local Connexions Centre or One Stop Shop can offer you the support and assistance you may need to find a suitable vacancy aged under 16. Connexions

Posted - 12:00, 06 Oct 2008

they/you wernt suportive when i went to my local conextions, because i wasnt 16, basicaly said there is nothing you can do, and that was it, so i have no idea what to do, its getting more crucial, with everything costing more, its a bad system, because what are realy suposed to do, at this crucial time in our lives. i think if we could have responsible part time jobs, it would help society in general.

Posted - 09:16, 08 Oct 2008

Thanks for your comment. Connexions has a responsibility to support young people who have left compulsory education to find suitable employment or to explore their options further. We realise that, for young people who have not left school, part-time working can assist personal development, financially and future employability. Therefore we are keen to provide you with information that will help you to find part-time work such as; providing you with information on laws that are in place for your safety and well being; information on the types of jobs that may be available to you and the types of organisations you should approach. We have personal advisers based in schools across Essex who can help you with a number of life issues, education and option choices, careers and financial concerns. A personal adviser can help you to budget more effectively so you can cut unnecessary spending and have more money to spend on your priorities. Best of luck finding a part-time job, from Connexions

Posted - 11:47, 08 Oct 2008

theas aint jobs there chores like workin for ya mum

Posted - 07:35, 21 Oct 2008

i am so desperate forajob right for my basketball tour in january next year to america and i really need any tyoe of jobs available pliz help me

Posted - 09:42, 24 Oct 2008

Thanks for your comment. I suggest that you speak with your Connexions Personal Adviser at your school as they will be able to point you in the direction of the types of organisations you should approach for part-time work. They may also be able to help you budget for your tour, by helping you work out a suitable amount which you can save each week. You can read more in our article on budgeting. You can find from the left hand navigation under ‘money – debt’.

Posted - 11:25, 07 Dec 2008

can you tell me where i can get a work permit? Also, i'm gonna be 16 in january, so is there actually any point in getting one or should i just wait till after my birthday?

Posted - 12:52, 09 Dec 2008

Connexions would like to update you with new contact details for child employment queries: Essex Child Employment Team - 01245 436743 (child.employment@essex.gov.uk), Southend Child Employment Team - 017025909, Thurrock Child Employment Officer - 01375 652568. Regards, Connexions

Posted - 01:15, 09 Dec 2008

Hi thanks for your comment. If you are under 16 years of age or you are 16 but have yet to leave school and you wish to work then you require a work permit. You do not officially leave school until the last Friday of June in the school year when you turn 16. Therefore the fact your 16th birthday is in January 2009, you will still require a permit to work until the last Friday of June 2009. In order to obtain a work permit you need to contact the relevant child employment team – revised contact details are posted in the comment above. They should be able to send you out the necessary paper work which your parents and employer will need to complete. Best of luck finding suitable part-time work Connexions

Posted - 01:23, 22 Dec 2008

i dont wantdo babysitting

Posted - 04:19, 30 Jan 2009

hi i really need a job there going to be points in my life when i really am going to need money please give me some advise

Posted - 04:08, 31 Jan 2009

giimmmiiiiiiiiii a job!! =]]]

Posted - 11:34, 02 Feb 2009

Hi, thanks for your comment. If you have left school then try searching the vacancies we advertise online. Once you have found a job that you are interested in you will need to speak to a Connexions Personal Adviser in your nearest Connexions Centre. If you are under school leaving age it’s important that you understand the rules and regulations in-place to protect you. It may be an idea to approach small shops and convenience stores with your parents to ensure your personal safety. Best of luck Connexions

Posted - 04:56, 25 Feb 2009

Please find me a part-time job I need one I ma 20 years old now.

Posted - 12:30, 26 Feb 2009

Hi thanks for your comment. Connexions is for all 13-19 year olds, and older for some people with additional needs. If you are a young person over 19 years of age without any additional needs we would usually refer you to the Job Centre; who we work closely with and are better placed to help you find employment. Otherwise I would suggest that you call into your local Connexions Centre to find out exactly how Connexions can support you.

Posted - 05:55, 05 Apr 2009

hello, erm. i wanted to know about the jobs available in law? im thirteen and want to do work experience with law. thankss

Posted - 06:55, 21 Apr 2009

hello im 14 and 15 in december i wondered if there would be any sort i job i could have need to earn a bit of cash family probs and to get me out the house thanx

Posted - 04:59, 22 Apr 2009

help

Posted - 10:23, 23 Apr 2009

Hi, thanks for your comment. It is important that you research the different types of jobs that are available within the legal and political services careers sector to find out exactly what jobs are available, and what skills and qualifications you will need to achieve in order to reach your career goals. It is really good that you are thinking ahead now and this will help you make the right option choices in year nine. On the top right of our homepage you will see a tab to our Careers Library and our section on legal and political services. Here you will find links to websites that should provide you more information on the jobs and types of work available within law. Talk to a personal adviser in your school regarding work experience as there may be a local law firm or solicitors that may be able to offer you work experience. Best of luck Connexions

Posted - 11:59, 23 Apr 2009

There are a number of child employment laws in place to protect your safety and well-being which does restrict the amount and types of jobs that you can do before you have reached the official school leaving age. Having said this there are still lots of job that you can do, perhaps with your parents, ask at local shops or organisations. If there is any doubt about what jobs you can or can’t do and you live in Essex you should contact the Essex Child Employment Team on 01245 436743. Your employer will need to contact this team in order to organise a work permit. If there are problems at home that you are finding difficult to cope with or you would like further advice about finding part-time work you can speak confidentially to a personal adviser at your local Connexions Centre. Best of luck Connexions.

Posted - 02:36, 02 May 2009

Hi, So what work can you do once you are over school leaving age but still 15? i.e. born in July?

Posted - 11:17, 05 May 2009

Legally you are able to start a full time job when you leave school- the official date for leaving is the last Friday in June. Although you are still 15 when you leave school you can still apply for full time work. However, many employers have insurance policies to protect their workforce, which require all their employees to be at least 16 years or over. For this reason some employers will not employ any young people in a full time job until they reach their 16th birthday. If you need any more information please call the Essex Child Employment Team on 01245 436743. Our team of Connexions Advisors will be happy to help you look for work, just call into a Connexions office near you. Good luck with your job hunting from, Connexions PA

Posted - 05:22, 06 May 2009

Thank you

Posted - 04:13, 16 May 2009

I have just completed my first week of work experience and the shop i am working for has offered me a job on a sunday but i am not sure about the laws restricting me from working for them because i have heard so many people say many different things. i really need to know because they say that they may not be able to hire me until i turn 16 which is in 9 months time. I'm really eager to start working.

Posted - 12:33, 18 May 2009

Hi thanks for your comment. Our article on child employment details the number of hours that a young person can work whilst under the mandatory school leaving date. This is the last Friday of June in the academic year you turn 16. You can visit this article from the left hand navigation by hovering your mouse over ‘Work – At work’ and clicking on ‘Child employment’. Specific to working on Sundays whilst you are under mandatory school leaving age but 13 or over you can work for 2 hours. This is both during term time and during school holidays. There are a number of additional local by-laws (to complicated to list), in place so if in any doubt give the Essex Child Employment Team a call on 01245 436743. Hope this helps, Connexions.

Posted - 02:11, 02 Jul 2009

i want a job NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!