All children who perform on stage or in television, such as in films and commercials, or who work in paid or professional sport or modelling must have a licence.  Here you can find information on how to apply for a licence, the approval criteria and what we mean by performance. 

If children are to take part in any of the above activities, the legislation requires them to be licensed by the local authority (LA) in which they live.  This includes babies and children up to the compulsory school age. These children have their welfare and safety protected by the following legislation:

• The Children and Young Persons Act 1933
• The Children and Young Persons Act 1963
• The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968
• The Children (Protection at Work) Regulations 1998
• The Children (Performances) (Amendment) Regulations 2000
  

The LA for Essex is Essex County Council.  If a child lives in one of the London boroughs or a unitary authority but has an Essex postal address, then their LA will be the authority in which they live.  For example:

• Southend, Essex will be Southend Unitary Authority
• Thurrock, Essex will be Thurrock Unitary Authority
• Romford, Essex will be London Borough of Havering
• Dagenham, Essex will be London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
• Ilford, Essex will be London Borough of Redbridge 

How to apply for a licence

• a photocopy of the child's birth certificate or passport;
• two recent (within six months) identical passport size photographs of the child with their name written on the back;
• a medical certificate, doctor's note or parental declaration stating that the child is medically fit for the proposed activity. (Parental declaration of the child’s health is acceptable only for modelling, photographic and sport work);
• a letter from the child's school authorising absence during the performance period.

Approval criteria

The licensing authority when considering a licence application must be satisfied that:

• the child’s formal education will not be affected
• the child’s health will not suffer
• the venue where the performance or rehearsal takes place is suitable
• all of the conditions of the licence will be maintained.
  

Performances

• a charge is made (even if there is no admission fee for the audience/spectators)
• the performance takes place on licensed premises or in a licensed club
• the performance is to be broadcast to the public
• the performance is being recorded for public viewing.
  

 A child does not need a licence if:

• they perform for only 4 days in any 6 month period and they do not need time off from school to undertake the performance
  
• they take part in their full time school performance (this is the educational school not a school of dance)
• the activity is directed in any way that it may be reviewed and converted into a performance.

Please see our good practice guide for voluntary amateur theatrical organisations. 

Chaperones and supervision