A non-exhaustive list of forbidden activities which have the effect of restricting employment of children is set out under "more detail" below (professional versions only)

Note that nothing in this list prohibits employment of a child who is undertaking authorised "work experience" (see Children and young persons/work experience and training schemes and the Education (Work Experience) Act 1973, s.1). There are also separate specific provisions restricting employment of children generally (see Children and young persons/a general introductory note ).

Proposals in a UK government consultative document of October 1995 (entitled "Employment of Children") for a new model local authority bye-law to contain categories of "permitted" and "prohibited" employment for children are now taking shape. A start has been made by the Children (Protection at Work) Regulations 1998, SI 1998/276 which provide for local authority byelaws to contain a list of categories of light work which children aged 13 may be permitted to do (reg 2(3)(b) and see Children and young persons/a general introductory note ).