Article: Entertainment and performance licences for children and young people Article Body The Education Welfare Service investigates and monitors employment undertaken by young people of compulsory school age to ensure that it is legal and safe, and that it does not damage or interrupt their education. The strict laws that govern the employment of young people also apply to the involvement of young people in theatre performances, filming or modelling assignments. The National Network of Child Employment and Entertainment website provides more detail about children and young people involved in entertainment. Any person responsible for a production or modelling assignment in which a child will take part must apply for a licence. Where 'person' is a corporate body/business, the individual responsible for the business must make and sign the application. The application can be downloaded below, but you cannot apply online as the licence must be signed by the child's parents and include two photographs of the child, together with their birth certificate. When completing the application, please keep all four parts together. Application form Part 1: to be completed by the applicant - the person responsible for the production of the performance Part 2: to be completed and signed by the child's parent/guardian Part 3: to be completed and signed by the child's headteacher Part 4: to be compled and signed by the child's parent/guardian This licence will last for the duration of the performance, up to a period of six months, and all applications will be assessed on an individual basis. The local authority may refuse to grant a licence if we haven't received the application form at least 21 days before the day on which the first performance or the first occasion for which the licence is required takes place. The school should have a list of all performances, ie dates and times as listed in part 3. A licence will always be required if a child is to be absent from school The local authority has to ensure that disruption to a childs education is kept to a minimum, so will only approve a performance licence (part 3) if the headteacher of the child's school has granted permission for them to be given a licence to perform during school hours. There are several variations within the regulations surrounding dates and times a young person is allowed to perform. These are included in the Broadcast Performance Table and Non-broadcast Performance Table and the local authority has no legal power to grant any exemptions. Legislation Children and Young Persons Act 1933 Children and Young Persons Act 1963 Children (Performance) Regulations 1968/ Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1998 and Amendment Regulations 2000 Children (Performances) Amendment 2 Regulation 2000 Children and Young Persons Act (Sale of Tobacco) 2007 Related links Chaperone Service (includes advice, guidance and application forms for those wishing to chaperone children involved in performances, filming or modelling assignments) National Network of Child Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) How to contact us Directorate for Children, Young People and Families Education Welfare Service Postal address: PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG Telephone: (01226) 773545 or (01226) 773580 Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm and Fridays from 8.30am to 4.30pm Email: cypf@barnsley.gov.uk