Hiring Seasonal Staff Aged 14 or 15
Under UK legislation, employing children under 16 is allowed under strict conditions. Campsite owners must comply with the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, as well as local authority bylaws and health & safety guidance.
Key requirements include:
- Local Authority Work Permit: You must apply for a work permit from the council where the child lives and where the work will be performed.
- Parental Consent: Written permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian is mandatory.
- Health and Safety Risk Assessment: You must assess and mitigate risks before employment starts.
Children aged 14 and 15 may only perform "light work" that does not risk their health, safety, or education. Tasks like light cleaning, front-of-house duties, or preparing non-hazardous areas of the site may qualify, depending on the local authority.
During school holidays, the maximum permitted working hours are:
- 35 hours per week (maximum)
- 7 hours per day (except Sundays)
- No work before 7am or after 7pm
- Minimum 1 hour rest after 4 hours of work
Children under 16 must have at least a two-week uninterrupted break from work during school holidays.
Hiring Seasonal Staff Aged 16 or 17
Young people aged 16 and 17 can work more freely, but they are still considered “young workers” under UK law and enjoy additional protections under the Working Time Regulations 1998.
Before employing 16–17 year-olds, campsite operators must:
- Secure written parental/guardian consent
- Conduct a health and safety risk assessment specific to the young person
They may work:
- Up to 8 hours per day
- Up to 40 hours per week
- With at least a 30-minute break after 4.5 hours of continuous work
- Not normally between 10pm and 6am (or 11pm and 7am with exceptions)
Pay for Young Workers
As of April 2025, the UK statutory minimum wage for under-18s is £6.40/hour (subject to updates yearly). However, employers may choose to offer higher rates to attract candidates.
Examples of Suitable Roles
- Reception and check-in assistance
- Café or shop assistant (non-hazardous tasks)
- Housekeeping support
- Activity assistant (e.g. with appropriate qualifications such as a 17-year-old holding a valid first-aid or youth work certificate)
Final Notes
Hiring minors can be a valuable solution during high season, especially when qualified young people (like those with a Level 1 Safeguarding Certificate or in youth leadership training) are available. However, employers must carefully track hours, ensure proper breaks, and never assign hazardous tasks.
Check with your local authority for any additional requirements or bylaws, as they vary between councils.