Contact:
  • Sharon Lymposs - Senior Children Missing Education Officer
  • Address:
    PO Box 25 Riverside Temple Street Keynsham BS31 1DN
  • E-mail:
    CMES@bathnes.gov.uk 
  • Telephone:
    01225 394241
  • Fax:
    01225 394296
  • Minicom:
    n/a
  • Page Updated:
    08/11/2008
  • Author:
    Simon Ratcliff
A to Z Index

Licence - children and young people - employment byelaws

Performance Licences

When is a licence needed?

The regulations governing children in entertainment apply to all children from birth until the end of their last year of compulsory education. 

A licence is required for any performance:

  • If payment is made in respect of the child taking part.
  • If the child is required to be absent from school for either rehearsals or performance.
  • If the child has performed for 4 days in the previous six months, whether or not a licence was required for that performance.
  • Any broadcast and or any performance recorded by whatever means with a view to its use in a broadcast, or film intended for public exhibition.
  • Any child used as a stand-in (understudy)

 Performance which do not require a licence:

  • For performances organised by school
  • For performances put on by a body of persons approved and granted exemption by the Secretary of State or the Local Authority.
  • Any activity which the Local Authority does not consider to be a performance.  For example children interviewed or filmed whilst taking part in some normal activity, not specially arranged for the purpose such as school lessons, playing in a park or at a Youth Club.

Whether or not a performance licence is required, producers of performances involving children should consider the following recommendations:

  • There shall be at least one adult for every 12 children, whose role will be to supervise the children while not on stage.
  • No child shall share a dressing room with an adult or with a child of the opposite sex. 
  • Each child must be accompanied to and from the place of performance by a responsible adult, preferably by his or her parent.
  • Children should not be allowed to perform when unwell. 
  • Appropriate First Aid facilities shall be available in case of accident or injury.

Legislation governing children who perform:

  • Children & Young Persons Act 1933 and 1963
  • The Children (Performance) Regulations 1968
  • The Children (Performance) (Miscellaneous) Amendments) Regulations 1998.
  • The Children (Performance) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2000 Statutory Instruments: 1968 No 1728 No 1678, 2000 Nos 5, 10 and 2384.

 

How to get a performance licence

The person responsible for the Performance in which the child is taking part is the person who should make the application for the Performance Licence. 

Producers should work with the child's parents to complete the application form and send it to the Children Missing Education Service at least 21 days before the first rehearsal or performance.  

It is important to know that any person who fails to observe any condition subject to which a licence is granted, or knowingly or recklessly makes any false statement in or in connection with the application for a licence is liable to a fine or imprisonment or both (Section 40 of the 1963 Act).

Chaperones

A chaperone is an adult approved by the Local Authority to take charge of children at all times during a performance except when the child is in the charge of their parent or tutor.  

The chaperone’s first duty is to the child. They should exercise the same level of duty and care that a good parent might reasonably be expected to provide.

Anyone wishing to become an approved chaperone should contact their local authority for more information.

Tel: 01225 394167

Email: CMES@bathnes.gov.uk