Get a child performance licence

Guide summary

Rehearsals and preparation for recording count as taking part, so they need a licence too
Apply in writing; you and a parent of the child must both sign the application
In England, Scotland and Wales, a council can refuse an application received less than 21 days before
In Northern Ireland, apply to the Education Authority; it can refuse applications under 30 days before
Plan the child's education; the local authority must approve the arrangements and the place
A private teacher must give at least 3 hours' education on each day the child would be at school
A chaperone can look after up to 12 children, or 3 if also a child's private teacher
Tell the parent and the licensing authorities immediately if a child is injured or becomes ill

A child under school leaving age needs a licence to take part in a performance where a charge is made, in premises licensed to sell alcohol, or that is broadcast or recorded for broadcast, streaming or a film for public exhibition. Rehearsals and preparation for recording count. A licence is also needed for a paid sport or modelling job.

You do not need one if the child is not paid beyond expenses and either has not performed on more than 3 days in the previous 6 months, or the performance is arranged by a school or a body approved by the local authority or the Secretary of State.

Child performance licence (children in productions)

In England, Scotland and Wales, a child of compulsory school age usually needs a child performance licence to take part in a performance that is broadcast, recorded for broadcast or for a film intended for public exhibition, included in a programme service, held on premises licensed to sell alcohol, or one people are charged to see. Rehearsals and preparation for recording count as taking part. The licence comes from the local authority where the child lives. No licence is needed if no payment is made beyond expenses and either the child has not performed on more than 3 days in the previous 6 months, or a school or an approved body arranges the performance.

The licence sets conditions on hours, breaks and education, and the child must be in the care of an approved chaperone unless a parent or the child's usual teacher is looking after them. The duty arises under section 37 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 and the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, the Children (Performances and Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 and the Children (Performances and Activities) (Wales) Regulations 2015. It applies to production, not post-production or distribution.

Who grants it: The child's home local authority
What you need: A licence for each child
Supervision: An approved chaperone
Limits: Hours, breaks and education conditions

Child performance licence in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, a child usually needs a licence from the Education Authority to take part in a performance that people are charged to see, one held on licensed premises or a registered club, a broadcast performance, one included in a programme service, or one recorded for broadcast or for a film intended for public exhibition. Rehearsals and preparation for recording count as taking part. No licence is needed if the child has not performed on more than 3 days in the previous 6 months, or if a school or an approved body arranges the performance and no payment is made beyond expenses.

The person responsible for the production applies in writing, signed with a parent of the child. The Education Authority can refuse an application it receives less than 30 days before the first performance. A licence for a child under 14 is limited to acting, ballet and mainly musical parts that need a child of that age. Unless a parent or teacher is in charge of the child, a person approved by the Education Authority must look after them. The duty arises under Articles 137 and 138 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and the Children (Public Performances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.

Who grants it: The Education Authority
Apply by: 30 days before the first performance
Supervision: A parent, teacher or approved person

Apply for the licence

The person responsible for the production applies, in writing, to the local authority where the child lives. The application must be signed by you and a parent of the child and include the information and documents the regulations set out.

The local authority can refuse an application it receives less than 21 days before the first performance. It must grant the licence if it is satisfied that the child is fit to take part, that their health and kind treatment are provided for, and that their education will not suffer.

Child performance licensing requirements

Requirements for obtaining child performance licences for film, TV and theatrical productions in the UK.

Any child performing in a film, TV, or theatrical production must have a performance licence from their local authority education welfare service. This applies to all children under 16 years old (or still in compulsory education).

Application requirements

Apply to local authority education welfare service at least 21 days before performance
Obtain child's school consent
Obtain parent/guardian written consent
Provide medical certificate (if required by authority)
Submit details of performance dates, locations and working hours

Exemptions

Amateur performances may be exempt under certain conditions. Children aged 14+ in light work may have limited exemptions, but professional film/TV productions almost always require full licensing.

Application timeline: At least 21 days before performance date
Licensing authority: Local authority education welfare service
Age coverage: All children under 16 or still in compulsory education
Chaperone requirement: Licensed chaperone required at all times
Chaperone ratio: 1 licensed chaperone per 12 children maximum

Child employment and performance licences (opens in a new tab)

Plan education and supervision

The local authority must approve any arrangements for the child's education while the licence applies, and the place where it happens. You must make sure those arrangements are carried out. A private teacher must give the child at least 3 hours' education on each day they would be at school, or an equivalent spread over the week.

Unless a parent or the teacher who normally educates the child is caring for them, a chaperone approved by the local authority must have care of the child. A chaperone can look after up to 12 children at a time, or 3 if they are also the child's private teacher. If a child is injured or becomes ill, you must tell the parent and the licensing authorities immediately.

Keep to the hours limits

The limits depend on the child's age. Time spent in education counts towards the hours at the place of performance.

Child performance working hours limits

Maximum working hours for children in film, TV and theatrical productions by age group.

Children under 5 years: 5 hours at venue, 2 hours performance or rehearsal, 30 minutes continuous per day
Children aged 5 to under 9 years: 8 hours at venue, 3 hours performance or rehearsal, 2.5 hours continuous per day
Children aged 9 to school leaving age: 9.5 hours at venue, 5 hours performance or rehearsal, 2.5 hours continuous per day
Over school leaving age: Child performance rules no longer apply
Rest periods: Minimum breaks required between sessions
Education provision: Private teaching: at least 3 hours on each school day, or an approved equivalent over up to 4 weeks

Working hours for child performers are strictly regulated based on age. The limits cover the time a child spends at the place of performance or rehearsal, the total time performing or rehearsing, and the longest continuous spell of performing or rehearsing. Any approved education counts towards time at the place of performance, even if the child is taught elsewhere.

The licensing authority must approve the education arrangements and the place where the child is taught. If a private teacher teaches the child, the child must get at least 3 hours of education on each day they would otherwise be at school. Alternatively, the authority can accept at least 6 hours a week, no more than 5 hours on any day, adding up to the same total over a period of up to 4 weeks.

Child performance regulations (opens in a new tab)

Legal basis

Primary legislation and key regulations

Children and Young Persons Act 1963 Primary 1963 · UK-wide Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 Primary 1995 · N. Ireland Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 SI 2014 · England The Children (Performances and Activities) (Wales) Regulations 2015 Welsh SI 2015 · UK-wide The Children (Performances and Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 Scottish SI 2014 · UK-wide Children (Public Performances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 NI SR 1996 · UK-wide

Browse UK legislation legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Child performance licence (Northern Ireland) (opens in a new tab)

GOV.UK · Northern Ireland

Child employment: rules for young workers (opens in a new tab)

GOV.UK

Get a child performance licence

Apply for the licence

Plan education and supervision

Keep to the hours limits

Legal basis

Official guidance

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