Bracknell

Sports World International has been fined for illegally employing children in a case brought to court by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

At a hearing on November 8 Maidenhead magistrates ordered Sports World to pay a total of £1148 in fines and court costs.

The company entered a guilty plea to nine charges relating to the illegal employment of 16 children aged between 15 and 16 at its Bracknell shop.

The company must now pay a £50 fine for each offence plus costs of £698 after an investigation by the Council that began following a tip-off from a concerned resident.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children’s Services and Libraries, said: “More children are working during their spare time and that is why we regularly visit schools to teach them what the law says and help them understand their rights and obligations.

"The law is clear and employers need to make themselves aware of their responsibilities and put procedures in place to make sure they are followed. Ignorance is not a good enough excuse.

"Protecting children and young people is always our priority and we will not hesitate in taking legal action when we believe there is a case to be answered."

At the hearing magistrates gave Sports World credit for admitting it had broken the law under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and for cooperating with the Council’s Education Welfare team.

Many children do paid work of some kind before or after school or during school holidays.

The Council’s Education Welfare team regularly visits schools to give children advice on employment issues to help them understand their rights under the law.

There are different rules on the work children and young people can do depending on their age and some jobs that are prohibited for all children.

For a child of compulsory school age to work they must have a permit signed by parents and guardians and the employer.

It then has to be checked and approved by the Council. In the Sports World case no such permits had been submitted.

Random checks are also carried out on employers to make sure they are adhering to the law.

Anyone with concerns about child employment in Bracknell Forest should contact the Council’s Education Welfare Team on 01344 354045, email: education.welfare-services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or write to Child Employment, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Seymour House, Bracknell.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council