To think that working is not a luxury and he's got to do it regardless of exclusion

[Shinyshoes1]

My DS1 has been excluded from school for swearing at the deputy head and smoking. He's not allowed back until we have a meeting. DP reckons it's tiredness and he should give up the morning paper round, I think it's him having a bad day and mouthing off. It wouldn't be the first time.

He voulnteers in a youth centre , he wants to eventually work with vulnerable adults and teenagers that have behavioural problems. Tonight is one of the nights he volunteers.
He also has an afterschool job , starting this week at thesameplace he does his paper round, the want him to count stock, they think he's trustworthy and reliable and have offered him the job.

DP thinks as part of his punishment for being excluded, he shouldn't be doing any of these things. My opinion is that it's work, albeit tonight is the unpaid job, but it's still work and he shouldn't be forfeiting his positon permantley because of him mouthing off when in general he's not that bad.

Who's being unreasonble here?

Sounds like he's got too much on and that fact that he's lying, hanging around with questionable 'mates' and not able to reign himself in when stressed are signs that he has lost his sense of judgment and is blundering around blindly.

Sit him down and talk through what's got to give because something clearly needs to, whether it's time with his 'mates', some or all of the jobs or the youth club work. I DEFINITELY would not be encouraging my Yr 11 boy to be taking any more on during such an important year.

Above all the poor bugger needs sleep, he's admitted so - so lose the morning job, work one or two evenings and get a lie-in at the weekend.

If he is under 16 yes he does, it's basicly a photo card thing that confirms he abides by the duration rules ( no more than an hour on a school day not before. 7 am or after 7 pm and a few others)as well as safeguarding high vis wear etc he would also be obliged to carry this with him when on paper rounds and can be stopped by an inspector and be asked to show it.

Well I never knew that.

A teacher at school once accused me of smoking when I didn't. I didn't swear it her but I most defenatly felt like it!

All school age children with paid employment bar farming and a few other family run trades need one.

The licence/work permit is for anyone of compulsory school age and is enforceable until the last Friday in the month of June following the 16th birthday.

Children of compulsory school age cannot work on farms, do milk rounds or on any kind of licences premises, or chip shops.

They can work for up to 2 hours on a school day, but not before or after 7 and only 1 hour before school.

I'm afraid voluntary work is included in this, so OPs son shouldn't be volunteering at youth centre til 9.30pm :(

Can't work on farms?
Seriously?

But I thought there was some special law that children with no driving licence could drive a tractor. Off to Google.

Can't work on farms? Well, I know a few law breakers there, then!

Seriously.

The law regarding farmhands changed following an incident where a child labourer lost an arm to a combine harvester.

It was always a bone of contention with the farming families, and I know of many that flout the law but get around it as they say it is a family business and the children are learning a trade and not being paid.

Crazy isn't it!

It was the milk round one that always got me! I used to issue the work permits for children who are employed and as part of that i had to speak to the employers as well as the parents, check the school attendance etc etc - you wouldn't believe the red tape and paperwork involved in getting a licence.

It's the same for children who model or perform in dance shows etc.

I'm certain that for every child who is licensed, there are another 5 who aren't :(