Child performance licences
Child performance licences latest
IMPORTANT:
Please note that during school holiday periods, the service runs with a skeleton staff. Please allow additional notice for applications at these times.
East Sussex will issue licences where fully completed applications give 10 clear working days notice during this time. Every endeavour will be made to issue all children’s licences where possible within reasonable expectations. We will return incomplete applications.
Who Needs a Licence?
If you are a child who is still in school, or of school leaving age or younger - GOV.UK, and you are part of a performance, you need a licence and an adult to look after you if you:
- have to miss school
- get paid for the performance
- perform for more than three days in six months.
- the performance is to be broadcast or recorded by whatever means with a view to its use in a future broadcast or film intended for public exhibition.
If your performance is arranged by your regular school, you do not need a licence.
There are rules on when and how long children can perform. There are also rules on child employment
Applying for a licence
The person in charge of the production must apply 21 days before the first performance. Here’s what they need to do:
Download and complete part 1 of the
- Child performance licence application [32.8 KB] [docx]
(If you have any problems accessing or completing the form, please email or telephone us.)
The parent or carer fills out and signs part 2 and sends the application to the Child Employment Officer. They must include:
- a copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport
- A passport-size photograph of the child
- a letter from the child’s headteacher saying it's okay to miss school if required
- a declaration under section 38(1)(a) or (b) of the Children and Young Person Act 1963, stating that only a child can play the part
- a copy of the child’s work contract
- a copy of the child’s chaperone’s licence
The application must include exact dates and locations.
What records need to be kept
The Child Employment team might ask to see the licence at any time. The licence holder must keep records on:
- the type and dates of the performances
- the time the child arrives and leaves
- meal and break times
- education plans for the child
- any injuries or illnesses
- medical certificates
- all the money the child earns
Criteria for granting child performance licences
The Child Employment team will look at two things: education and health.
Education
The child’s education should not suffer because of the performances. The licence holder must arrange this with the child’s headteacher.
Children in long performances can have private lessons approved by the council. Class sizes are limited to 6 pupils, or 12 if they are the same age and level.
Health
A child cannot perform if they are ill or at risk of becoming ill. They need a medical certificate from a doctor for performances longer than three weeks or for broadcast performances.
Contact us
Child Employment and Entertainment team
St Mary's House
52 St Leonards Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex BN21 3UU
- Telephone: 01273 481 967
- Email: Child employment team
- Map: Google maps
