Performance licences for children - Print version

Child performance licence

A child performance licence must be obtained if a child under compulsory school leaving age (from birth up to the end of the school year that the child turns 16 years old) takes part in a public performance or activity or if any of the following apply:

• They will be absent from school (the absence is to be authorised by the child’s Headteacher).
• An audience is paying to watch the performance.
• The child is being paid for the performance or someone else is receiving payment for the child’s performance.
• The child will perform on more than 4 days in 6 month period.
• The child is participating in paid sporting activities.
• The child is participating in modelling work, including photography sessions, fashion shoots or catwalk shows.

Exemptions

A child does not require a performance licence when:

• The child is required to perform for one day and, in the 6 months preceding that performance, the child has not exceeded the 3 day unlicensed exemption period (a child can possibly perform for 4 days in a 6 month period without the need for a licence).
• The child does not require any time off school (paid or unpaid).
• The performance is under arrangements made with School or a Body of Persons (Body of Persons exemptions can be granted by a Local Education Authority of Secretary of State if certain criteria are met).
• No payment is made to the child or any other person (except for expenses).

How to apply

The rules governing children in entertainment covers children who take part in 'performances', including all broadcast performances, child photography or modelling. Any child engaged in these occupations must have a licence issued by the local authority.

Access to Education is responsible for the administration of the Children (Performances) Regulations (1968), the Children (Performances) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (1998) [Children and Young Persons Act].

This includes:

• Issuing and monitoring the licences for children to perform in theatre, television, film and modelling
• Issuing and monitoring the licences of chaperones.

The application for a licence must be completed by the person responsible for the performance, and signed by the parents and accompanied by a photograph.

The local authority must be satisfied that arrangements for the supervision and protection of the child are adequate and that the disruption to the child's education is kept to a minimum.

Apply for a performance licence for a child [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/Child_performance_and_Activities_Licence_application]

Key issues covered by the regulations

Key issues covered by the regulations include:

• Is the child/young person below minimum school leaving age?
• Do they reside in Coventry?
• Is there a charge made for admission?
• Is it within licensed premises?
• Is it broadcast on T.V ?
• Is it intended for filming?
• Is the child/young person fit to take part?
• Will it affect the child's education? This requires consultation with headteacher if in school time.
• Is the activity safe?

When is a licence not required?

• When there is no payment made to the child and they have not taken part in performances in the previous six months on more than four days
• When no payment is made to the child and the performance is arranged by school
• When no payment is made to the child and the performance is exempted by the Secretary of State (e.g. Scout Gang Shows).

Although you may not need a licence, there are circumstances where you will still have to fill in a Child performance exemption licence form [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/Child_performance_exemption_licence].

Circumstances where a licence will be required

TV or filming

For any period of time - regardless as to whether it is paid or unpaid and whether an absence from school is required.

A medical will also be required for any period of work (unless a medical has been provided in the last six months), except for periods of unpaid work of less than four days, with no absence from school, and when the child has not performed for six months.

Theatre, sporting activity or modelling

For any period of time - regardless as to whether it is paid or unpaid and whether an absence from school is required.

A medical is not normally required, but it is possible that one may be necessary for a performance lasting five days or longer.

When licenses are requested at short notice, local authorities will try to accommodate requests. However there must be enough time to deal with the application detail beforehand. Productions should not be mindful that the local authority can insist upon 21 days' notice.

When sending details from one local authority to another - "the licensing authority must send to those authorities copies of the application form and the licence, together with any information they think should be brought to the notice of the other authorities" - Children (Performances) Regulations (1968), Regulation 4.

Body of Persons Application (BOPA)

This is currently being updated.

Chaperones

Children must be in the care of either their parent (the child’s legal guardian) or an approved chaperone at all times.

Please note, grandparents, uncles, childminders etc., are not legal guardians (unless they are recognised by the courts) and therefore need to be approved in order to be the chaperone. Parents, unless they are an approved chaperone, cannot be responsible for children other than their own.

Complete the chaperone application form [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/Chaperone_application]

Once this has been received we will contact applicants with further instructions, this will include a DBS check and attendance at a chaperone briefing.

Once approved a Chaperone licence is valid for 3 years.

• Child performance and activities licence application
• Child performance exemption licence
• Chaperone application