Performance licences for children

Performance licences for children

Any child working in entertainment must have a licence issued by the Local Authority where they live.

By law, if a child who is not over compulsory school age is due to participate in TV or film work, a theatrical production, modeling work or a sporting event, he or she may require to be licensed by the local authority.

The legislation which demands this licensing is The Children and Young Persons Acts 1933 and 1963 The Children (Performances) Regulations 1963
 
A child or young person may not require a licence if all of the following conditions apply:

• No payment is made to the child/young person or to any other person in relation to their participation
• No absence from school is required if the child has not taken part in performances in the previous six months on more than three days or the performance is arranged by a school or by a body approved for the purpose by the Secretary of State or local education authority e.g. scout gang shows.

If your child is taking part in a performance/event it is advisable to contact the centrally retained education welfare advisory service (CREW) for advice on whether a licence is required.
 
To obtain a performance licence, an application form needs to be completed by the person responsible for the production of the performance and the parent/legal guardian of the child or young person.
 
Supporting documentation may also be required depending on the nature of the application. These can include:

• A letter from a school giving permission for absence, if time is required for either rehearsal or performance 
• Medical letter – obtained from child’s GP or school health service confirming the child or young person is fit to take part ( valid for six months) to be provided by parent/legal guardian in the case of sporting and still modeling
• A copy of the child or young person's birth certificate or satisfactory evidence of child’s age
• Two passport sized photographs taken within the previous six months

We must be satisfied that arrangement for the supervision and protection of the child are adequate and that the disruption to the child’s education is kept to a minimum.

By law, local authorities may refuse any performance licence application which is received less than 21 days before the first date of the performance.
 
If a licence is requested less than 21 days before the first date of the performance, the council may agree to process the licence providing that all relevant documents are correctly completed, legible and received at least seven working days prior to the performance date (i.e. not including weekends or public holidays).
Please note that Hammersmith & Fulham does not issue six-month open licences.

Download a children's entertainment licence application form (pdf)   

Chaperone services

Chaperones are responsible for the welfare of children taking part in performance. They accompany the child, providing protection, guidance and support.

Chaperones have a duty to represent the child’s interests and to help ensure that the law and licence conditions relating to the child’s participation are complied with.

Application for a chaperone must be made to the local authority in whose area the prospective chaperones lives. 

The application process involves completing an application form and obtaining an enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. The CRB checks all criminal records of all people working with children.

The centrally retained education welfare advisory service also takes up references and invites candidates for interview to ensure that they are suitable to act as chaperones.
Due to various checks which have to be made, the time between the LEA receiving an application and the issuing of a chaperone licence can take a while.

Responsibilities of a chaperone:

• A chaperone's first priority is always to the child
• A chaperone is the key person to whom the child looks to for guidance, protection, clarification and support
• One of a chaperone's greatest strengths is their ability to negotiate with the production company 'on site' and be able to say no when what is being requested of the child is contrary or detrimental to either the child's health, well being and/or education. For example, requesting a child to stay at a place of performance over and above the hours/times laid down in either the child's licence or the regulations, lack of education time
• At no time should a child perform if unwell
• Chaperones should keep a note of important contacts, for example, their licensing authority, the child's licensing authority, the local authority in whose area the child is performing, the child's agent and the child's parent/legal guardian
• The maximum number of children chaperones are allowed to have in their care at any one time is 12. But, in a lot of instances this will be too many (diverse mixture of ages requiring more concentrated supervision and so forth). We recommend eight children to be the maximum in many cases
• The child should not perform if a licence has not been granted, unless they fall within the exemption period
• Chaperones should not presume that a child is licensed. Always ask to see a child's licence upon arrival at a place of performance
• If the production company cannot prove that a child is licensed, chaperones should contact Hammersmith & Fulham Council, otherwise a contravention may have occurred
• Production companies are required to log certain activities during a performance i.e. arrival and departure times at the place of the performance etc

Download an application for matron/chaperone approval form (pdf)

For more information please contact Centrally Retained Education Welfare Advisory Service on:
Tel: 020 8753 2865
Fax: 020 8753 3633
Email: dawn.butts@lbhf.gov.uk

Address: London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, Centrally Retained Education Welfare Advisory Service, Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, London W6 9JU