A young person is anyone under 18. A child is a young person who has not yet reached the end of compulsory school age, which is the last Friday in June of the school year in which they turn 16. Both groups have extra protection at work because they lack experience, may not recognise risks and have not fully matured.
What you must do before they start
Keep to their working hours and rest
Young workers aged 16 and 17 have limits that do not apply to adults. They must not work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, and the limit applies across all their employers combined. They must have a rest break of at least 30 minutes if the working day is longer than 4.5 hours, 12 hours' rest between working days and 48 hours' rest each week.
A 16 or 17-year-old cannot work between midnight and 4am. They usually also cannot work between 10pm and 6am, or between 11pm and 7am if their contract says so. There are exceptions for sectors such as agriculture, hospitals, hotels and catering, retail and post.
Check what applies to a child
A child can only do part-time work, from age 14 (13 in some council areas). Where local bylaws say so, you also need a permit from the council, and the bylaws can restrict the work further. Children must not work before 7am or after 7pm, or during school hours. The limits in England and Wales are:
Induct, train and supervise
A young person is at higher risk in their first weeks, so plan how you will bring them up to speed.
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Induct them before they start work
Show them the hazards in their role, the emergency arrangements, the first aid provision and how to report a problem. Check that they understand it by asking them to explain it back.
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Train them for the tasks they do
Teach each task at their pace and watch them do it before they work unsupervised. Repeat the training when the task or equipment changes.
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Supervise them in proportion to the risk
Name a competent person they can ask, and keep a closer watch at first and on any task that carries a higher risk.
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Review the assessment
Revisit it when the young person changes role, takes on new tasks or turns 18, and after any accident or near miss.
Have these in place
If you cannot tick an item, complete it before the young person starts that work, or ask your local authority or HSE inspector for advice.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations