The rules governing children in entertainment cover children who take part in 'performances'. This includes all broadcast performances, child photography or modelling. Any child taking part in these occupations must have a licence issued by the council.
For information please telephone Mary Mayfield on 01724 297139 or email mary.mayfield@northlincs.gov.uk.
Alternatively, call Sandra Watkins on 01724 297235 or email Sandra.Watkins@northlincs.gov.uk.
The parents of the child must sign an application for a licence. Two photographs should accompany the application. The council must be satisfied that arrangements for the supervision and protection of the child are adequate. It also wants to ensure that disruption to the child's education is kept to a minimum.
Proof of current CRB check must be provided for matrons (chaperones).
Your child's school attendance will be monitored throughout the run of the production and immediately afterwards. Any concerns will be referred to the appropriate Education Welfare Officer.
Copies of the licence application form and guidance notes for completion of the form are available to download. They are provided as Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print the documents you will need the appropriate reader. An Adobe Acrobat reader can be downloaded free from the Adobe website (full instructions for downloading the reader are provided on the website).
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The legislation that covers this is ‘The Children and Young Persons Acts 1933 and 1963’ and ‘The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968’.
The regulations consider the following issues:
- Is the child/young person below minimum school leaving age?
- Do they live in North Lincolnshire?
- Is there a charge made for admission?
- Is it within licensed premises?
- Is it broadcast on television?
- Is it intended for filming?
- Is the child/young person fit to take part?
- Education - consultation with headteacher (unless performance in school).
- Is the activity safe?
No licence is required in the following circumstances:
- No payment made to child. They have not taken part in performances in the previous six months on more than three days.
- No payment made to child. School has arranged the performance.
- No payment made to child. The performance is exempted by Secretary of State.
Whether your child will need a licence is explained below:
| Paid/ unpaid work |
Type of work |
Absence from school |
Length of performance |
Medical required? |
Licence required? |
| Paid |
TV or filming |
Yes |
Any period of time |
Yes - unless one provided within previous six months |
Licence required |
| Paid |
TV or filming |
No |
Any period of time |
Yes - unless one provided within previous six months |
Licence required |
| Paid |
Theatre, sporting activity or modelling |
Yes |
Any period of time |
No |
Licence required |
| Paid |
Theatre, sporting activity or modelling |
No |
Any period of time |
No |
Licence required |
| Unpaid |
TV or filming |
Yes |
Any period of time |
Yes - unless one provided within previous six months |
Licence required |
| Unpaid |
TV or filming |
No |
Any period of time up to and including four days (and not performed within the previous six months) |
No |
No |
| Unpaid |
Theatre, sporting activity or modelling |
Yes |
Any period of time up to and including four days (and not performed within the previous six months) |
No |
Licence required |
| Unpaid |
Theatre, sporting activity or modelling |
No |
Any period of time up to and including four days (and not performed within the previous six months) |
No |
No |
| Unpaid |
TV or filming |
Yes |
Five days or more |
Yes unless one provided within previous six months |
Licence required |
| Unpaid |
TV or filming |
No |
Five days or more |
Yes unless one provided within previous six months |
Licence required |
| Unpaid |
Theatre, sporting activity or modelling |
Yes |
Five days or more |
Possibly |
Licence required |
| Unpaid |
Theatre, sporting activity or modelling |
No |
Five days or more |
Possibly |
Licence required |
Paid performance – this is when the child receives payment for taking part in the performance. This may be to him/her or any other person.
Unpaid performance – the child receives no payment for taking part.
Absence from school – "leave of absence may not be given to enable a pupil to undertake employment, except in accordance with the licence" - A Guide to the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968. Also see the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995, Regulation 8(2)(b).
Medical certificates – these are required with applications for children wishing to take part in licensed performances. This can be in any television or film work. This is 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, and 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 allowed in the week (i.e. six days) and the performances are required for more than one week, a medical certificate will be required.
Where the application is for a licence for an activity, the child’s parents must give a statement. This is to ensure that the child is medically fit for the activity. Any costs incurred with obtaining medical certificates are met by the body responsible for the production.
When a licence is required - a child shall not take part in a performance or activity except under the authority of a licence. Backdated licences should not be issued.
When licences are requested at short notice, the council tries to accommodate them. However there must be enough time to deal with the application. The council can insist on 21 days notice.
When sending details from one council to another, an application must be sent with any information that should be brought to attention.