Licence

Child employment licence (Northern Ireland)

You need a permit from your local Education and Library Board to employ a child of compulsory school age in part-time employment

Apply for this licence

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You need a permit from your local Education and Library Board (ELB) to employ a child of compulsory school age in part-time employment.

How to apply

Download an application form from the Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) website.

Your application (as the prospective employer) must be made at least 7 days before the proposed starting date of the child’s employment.

It must include:

  • written consent from the child’s parent or carer
  • 2 passport sized photos

Send your completed application to your local ELB Education Welfare Service. Visit the Education Support for Northern Ireland website for Education Welfare Service contact details.

Conditions

You cannot employ any child under the age of 13.

Employment is limited to specified occupations. No child of compulsory school age can work before 7am or after 7pm.

Additional restrictions apply depending on the age of the child.