Children in Entertainment
The legislation controlling children in entertainment is very
complex and cannot by fully explained in a short document such as
this
There are strict laws and regulations governing children who
take part in performances of all kinds, including performing in
theatres and other venues, broadcasting and films. Paid modelling
and paid sport also come within this legislation. (Singing in a
choir or playing in an orchestra is not performing and therefore
does not come within the legislation).
The Law requires children under the upper limit of compulsory
school age (a child’s compulsory schooling finishes on the last
Friday in June of the school year during which they have their 16th
birthday and not on their 16th birthday) to be licensed by their
Local Education Authority for such entertainment, apart from those
who are expressly exempted under the legislation.
A child Performance Licence must be obtained for all children,
from babies until they cease to be of compulsory school age in
accordance with:
Licences are granted when the LA is satisfied that the child's
health, welfare and education will not suffer, that all relevant
conditions are met and that all applicable information has been
provided. Licences will be granted if the authority is satisfied
The pupil's school may veto the issuing of the licence if they
think it will prejudice the education of that pupil.
There are occasions when a child taking part in entertainment
must be looked after by an adult
chaperone (This person is referred to as a Matron) or taught by
a tutor. Both these people must be approved by the child’s
education authority.
Exemptions
A child will not need a licence if :
- he/she has not performed more than 4 days in the 6 months
preceding (and including) the date of the first performance being
applied for. The total days must also include those for any other
organisations, but not school performances; and they do not require
time off school (paid or unpaid) or;
- the performance is under arrangements made with the school or a
Body of Persons exemption can be granted by The Children in
Entertainment Department of Children's Services or Secretary of
State (if certain criteria are met); and no payment is made to the
child or any person, except for defraying expenses.
- A licence is not required for performances arranged by school,
such as school plays.
The exemption for a ‘body of persons’ is intended primarily for
entertainment given by such bodies as youth organisations and
amateur dramatic societies.
Approval for exemption by the ‘body of persons’ must be sought
from the Education Welfare Service at the local Area Education
Office using the Body of
Persons Application Form (MS Word, 120KB) .
The approval may contain conditions concerning the child’s
welfare. If approval for exemption is refused then the child may
take part in the performance only if the Education Welfare Service
has issued a licence.
Licensing
Licences for all types of performances, including paid modelling
must be applied for by the producer of the event or the model
agency. Entertainment Licence Application Form
The holder of the licence is the person who is responsible for
observing the restrictions and conditions subject to which the
licence is granted.
We require a minimum of one month in order to process forms and
carry out relevant checks; incomplete forms will be returned.
How to apply for an Entertainment Licence or Body of Persons
application
General Advice for Head teachers on Child Entertainment
