Will they be safe?
Who is supervising them? Where will they be? How will they travel? Would they know what to do if something felt wrong?
Parents & carers
A first job should feel safe, not stressful.
For many young people, work can be a brilliant step towards confidence, independence and responsibility. For parents, the questions are simple: is it safe, suitable, legal and worth doing?
Common worries
Most parents are not against work. They just want it done properly.
A first job can sound exciting to a young person and worrying to a parent at the same time. That is normal. The key is to slow it down, ask sensible questions and make sure the opportunity is age-appropriate, supervised and compatible with school and wellbeing.
Will it affect school?
Hours should be sensible. Work should not get in the way of sleep, homework, attendance, exams or normal family life.
Is the work suitable?
Young people should not be placed in roles, environments or situations that are inappropriate for their age or maturity.
Before
You
Say Yes.
You
Say Yes.
A simple parent checklist for first jobs, holiday work and local opportunities.
Things to check first
- What exactly will my child be doing?
- Who will supervise them, and how can I contact that person?
- What are the days, hours, start time and finish time?
- How will they get there and back safely?
- Is the work suitable for their age, confidence and maturity?
- Will it interfere with school, sleep, homework or wellbeing?
- Are pay, breaks, expectations and basic rules clear?
Why it can matter
Good first work can teach things that are hard to teach at home.
When the role is safe and well handled, early work can help young people practise responsibility in the real world. It gives them a chance to be useful, be trusted, make mistakes, listen, improve and feel proud of earning something for themselves.
What they can gain
Confidence, timekeeping, manners, customer skills, independence, teamwork, resilience and a better understanding of money and effort.
What parents can do
Ask questions, set boundaries, talk about expectations, agree travel plans, keep communication open and help them reflect on what they are learning.
Know the Law
Child employment rules across the UK
Find out what rules apply in your area, including council permits, working hours, school leaving rules and minimum age requirements.
The question is not simply “should my child work?” It is “is this the right opportunity, in the right setting, at the right time?” Youth Employment Resource — Parents