You will need a licence if you want a child to perform on stage, in television, film or commercials or to work in professional sport or as a model. This applies to children from birth to compulsory school leaving age.
A licence is required if a performance meets the following criteria:
- it takes place on licenced premises
- is broadcast, filmed or recorded for public exhibition
- a charge is made (even if there is no admission charge).
A licence is also required if the child:
- performs for more than 3 days in 6 months
- is being paid
- requires time off from school.
It is illegal for the child to perform without a licence.
Performances arranged by schools that take place in the school do not need to be licenced. This does not include dance schools.
How to apply for a Performance Licence
If a child is being paid to perform and/or is missing school they need a Performance Licence. The person responsible for the performance and the parent should both complete and sign an application form.
A licence will not be granted unless the council is satisfied that the child is
- fit to take part in a performance
- that their education will not suffer
- and that proper supervision has been made to secure their health, comfort and kind treatment
Complete an application for a Performance and Activities Licence
Performances that do not need a licence (‘4 day-rule’)
In certain circumstances an exemption from the licencing process may be possible. Where a child has not performed on more than four days, including this performance, in the last 6 months and is not being paid or missing school, the performance may be exempt.
Under these circumstances, you should notify Cornwall Council. The person responsible for the production should complete the following form and email it at least 28 days before the performance takes place to ciee@cornwall.gov.uk.
Complete a notification of a non licenced performance
Body of Persons Approval (BOPA)
In certain circumstances Cornwall Council may consider issuing a Body of Persons Approval to an organisation for performances involving children. This type of exemption may be appropriate providing:
- no payment is being made to the child (or to anyone else)
- the child will not be absent from school to take part, and
- the performance is taking place within Cornwall Council boundaries
This approval may be sought when the above ‘4 day rule’ does not apply to all children performing.
Applications should include:
- completed forms
- contracts, and
- the group's Safeguarding and / or Child Protection Policies
Please email the above to ciee@cornwall.gov.uk giving at least 21 days' notice.
An approval will only be granted providing the above criteria are met and the council is satisfied the organisation has clear, robust and well embodied policies for safeguarding children. A meeting online or in person with the Juvenile Employment and Safeguarding Officer may be required before issuing a Body of Persons.
Chaperoning Children in Entertainment
When a child takes part in a performance (which can include TV, filming, theatre or modelling) they must be chaperoned by their own parent or an approved licenced chaperone.
Unless a parent/guardian is also a licenced chaperone, they can only chaperone their own child. A grandparent or other family member (unless they have parental responsibility or they have a Chaperone Licence) cannot undertake this role.
A chaperone acts 'in loco parentis' and should exercise the care which a good parent might be reasonably expected to give that child.
The maximum number of children a chaperone can look after at any one time is 12. However, in most cases this will be too many as age and gender need to be taken into account along with the limitations of the venue.
Find out more about chaperoning children in entertainment and apply for a licence
