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Child performance licence
There are laws governing the employment of children, including their involvement in theatre performances, filming or modelling assignments, to make sure these are safe and don't interrupt their education.
The dates and times young people can perform are also regulated - see the regulations table on the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) webpage for details.
When a licence is needed
A child performance licence is needed for a young person to take time off school to take part in a performance or activity. It isn't needed to attend an audition or casting, but it's good practice to ask the school for permission.
Sometimes a child performance licence isn't needed, for example if the performance is arranged by an organisation approved by the council, or (in a few exceptional circumstances) by the Secretary of State. In these cases, the organisation must apply for Body of Persons approval (BOPA). If the approval and a BOPA contract of agreement is granted, the organisation doesn't need to apply for individual licences for each child during the approved period, as long as the BOPA criteria and conditions continue to be fulfilled (see page 10 of the child performance and activities licensing legislation).
When we'll grant a licence
We need to make sure that any disruption to the child’s education is kept to a minimum, so we'll only grant a licence when:
- we're satisfied their involvement in the performance or activity won't affect their education
- their head teacher has given permission for them to take the time off school by signing the request for absence from school form
Performing abroad
If a child is going abroad to take part in a performance or activity for profit, the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 states the licence must be issued by a justice of the peace from the magistrates court in the district where the child lives. We have no legal authority to grant a licence for performing abroad, or to request a magistrates court to issue a licence for this.
How to apply for a child performance licence
If you're casting a child in a production or modelling assignment, you can apply for a licence by filling in the child performance licence application. There are two parts to the form that must be completed:
- part 1 is about the performance or activity
- part 2 is information required about the child (including a health declaration)
You'll also need the signature of the child's parent, a copy of their birth certificate, and a photograph of the child to include with your application.
You need to email your completed application to admin-educationwelfareservice@barnsley.gov.uk at least 21 days before the day on which the first performance or activity takes place. Please note: we don't accept applications sent by post.
What happens next
We'll acknowledge your application the same working day, or the next working day if we receive it after 3:30pm.
We assess all applications on an individual basis. If approved, we'll grant you a licence for the duration of the performance, up to a period of six months.
If you don't submit your completed application at least 21 days before the day on which the first performance or activity takes place, we can legally refuse to grant you a licence. However, workload permitting we may be able to issue a licence if we receive a completed application at least 10 working days before the performance.
Contact us
You can contact us by emailing: admin-educationwelfareservice@barnsley.gov.uk. Our opening hours are Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.