Children in entertainment: entertainment licence

The person responsible for the performance is required to have a licence for performing young people between the ages of 0 and 16. This includes:

• children taking part in films, plays, concerts or public performances that an audience pays to see, or it takes place on licensed premises
• sporting events or modelling where the child is paid

You can find out more about child performance rules and restrictions on the GOV.UK website.

If you employ a young person without first getting a licence, you can be prosecuted under The Children (Performance and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and 1963.
 

Apply

The person responsible for the production/activity in which the child is taking part should apply for the licence.

To apply, please download and complete our Performance Licence Application Form [444KB] , following the procedure set out below.

Application procedure

The performance licence PDF application form above has been produced and approved by the Department for Education and is accepted by all councils. It must not be changed or altered in any way.

You must answer all questions.

The licensing authority may refuse to grant a licence if the application is not received at least 21 days before the day on which the first performance or activity takes place.

When you apply:

• the employer should complete part 1 of the application form - they should then forward it to the parent of the child, so they have full details of the performance or activity their child is taking part in
• the parent should then complete part 2 and sign where indicated
• once completed, the parent should return the form to the employer who will then have full details of the child - this will include any medical details they should be aware of and, therefore, they are in position to satisfy the declaration and sign the application form on page 7
• the completed form will need to include:
  • a copy of the childbirth certificate
  • a photograph of the child (taken within the last 6 months)
  • a copy of the contract (if issued)
  • a letter/email giving the child permission to be absent from school (if applicable)
• the employer should then email the completed application form and supporting documents to childemployment@westberks.gov.uk, or the Local Authority in which the child lives (this may be different from the Local Authority of the child's school or the place in which the production is to take place)

The key questions that require particular attention are:

• question 3: a full description is required of what the child will be doing whilst performing - this is to help consider any conditions that may need to be included on the licence
• question 5: full addresses must be supplied, including the name of the venue/location with the postcode - if the place of activities/performances/rehearsal does not have a postcode (for example, a beach or park), supply the postcode of the nearest building or where the unit base will be situated
• question 6, 7 and 8: clearly record all dates and times of day that the child will be required to perform/rehearse, stating 'within permitted hours' is not acceptable
• question 14 and 15: state the name and address of the chaperone and the name of the local authority they are registered with
• declarations: the applicant applying for the licence must sign and date the form on page 7 - the parent must sign the medical health declaration