The rules governing children in entertainment cover children who take part in 'performances' including all broadcast performances, photography or modelling. Any child engaged in these occupations must have a licence issued by the local authority.
Application for a licence must be signed by the applicant and the parents and accompanied by two passport photographs. The local authority must be satisfied that arrangements for the supervision and protection of the child are adequate and that the disruption to the child's education is kept to a minimum.
The legislation which demands this licensing is The Children and Young Persons Acts 1933 and 1963 The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968.
Please note that the Attendance and Welfare Service may refuse to grant a licence if the application form is not received at least 7 working days before the licence is required.
Key issues covered by the regulations are:
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Does the child reside in Lewisham borough?
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Is it broadcast on television?
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Is it intended for filming?
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Is it in school time? If so, a consultation must be made with the child's head teacher – and an agreement letter written.
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Is the child/young person fit to take part? A medical must be obtained if the child has worked 4 days or more in a 6 month period.
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Is the activity safe?
No licence is required under the following circumstances
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No payment is made to the child and the child has not taken part in performances in the previous six months on more than three days.
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No payment is made to the child and the performance is arranged by the school.
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No payment is made to the child and the performance is exempted by the Secretary of State, e.g. scout gang shows.
Absence from school
According to The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968, 'Leave of absence may not be given to enable a pupil to undertake employment except in accordance with the licence. The Act and Regulations contain no provision under which absence from school may be authorised for an unlicensed performance.' Also see the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995, Regulation 8(2)(b).
Medical certificates
Required with applications for children wishing to take part in licensed performances in any television or film work, regardless of any number of days or half days under the conditions of the licence.
For broadcast performances, such as radio productions, a child can perform on up to and including six days in a six month period without the need for a medical.
For other performances such as theatre work, if the child takes part on the maximum number of days in the week allowed, i.e. six days, and the performances are required for more than one week, a medical certificate will be required.
For sporting activities and modelling, where the application is for a licence for an activity, a statement by the child's parent that the child is medically fit for the proposed activity must be provided with the original application.
To access the service
For licence registration enquiries please contact us at the address below or alternatively make your request via our online licence enquiry form.