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Child performance licence

Name
Child performance licence
Summary

Children taking part in performances is governed by the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (sections 37 and 39) and The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014. This legislation applies to all children from birth until they leave school. A licence must be obtained from the local authority where the child lives.

Child performance licences ensure that children's health, safety, and education are not adversely affected if they perform on stage, film or television, work as models, or take part in paid or professional sport.

Where a child has a licence, they must also be accompanied at all times by a licensed chaperone. A chaperone is an adult who is responsible for the child's well-being at all times while rehearsing or performing.

All children need a licence to take part in a public performance or activity if they will:

  • Perform on more than four days in any six-month period
  • Be paid for the performance or activity (or someone on their behalf)
  • Participate in modelling work, including photography sessions, fashion shows or catwalk shows

Or, if the performance or activity will:

  • Take place on premises licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol
  • Be broadcast, or recorded with a view of intended use for public exhibition
  • Have an admission or other charge

This legislation applies to all children from birth until the end of the school year they turn 16 years old.

Child performance licence exemptions

A child does not need a licence if:

  • The performance is under arrangements made by a school
  • The local authority has granted a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA)

Exemptions apply where:

  • No payment, in respect of the child taking part in the performance, is made and
  • They do not need time off school to undertake the performance and
  • They perform for only four days in any six-month period

If children are to perform abroad, you will need to apply to your local magistrate's court for a licence. For further information contact your local magistrates court.

About this licence

Child performance licence on GOV.UK

Application and guidance notes

Apply for a child performance licence

Privacy notice

Herefordshire Council is the data controller under data protection law and will use the information you provide in order to provide you with the licence you apply for. The legal basis for processing this data is your consent to do so. You can withdraw your consent at any time by notifying us, however, this will result in a licence not being provided or withdrawn. Our contact details to do so, or for any other queries, are Enforcement Officer, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0LE.

We will keep your data for two years after the licence ends. Your information will not be shared further, unless it is necessary to do so in cases such as preventing or detecting crime. Individuals have a number of rights under data protection law, including the right to request their information. You also have a right to make a complaint about our handling of your personal data to the Information Commissioner's Office.

Contact details