Child performance and stage licences

Any child taking part in performances such as broadcast performances, child photography and modelling must have a licence issued by Oxfordshire County Council.

The laws which demand this licensing are the Children and Young Persons Acts (1933 and 1963) and the Children (Performances) Regulations (1968).

Key issues covered by the regulations

• is the child/young person below minimum school leaving age?
• do they live in Oxfordshire?
• is there a charge made for admission to the performance?
• is it within licensed premises?
• is it broadcast on TV?
• is it intended for filming?
• is the child/young person fit to take part?
• consultation with headteacher if in school time
• is the activity safe?

Will my child need a licence?

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; they undermine the licensing process which is, after all, a safeguard for children.

Explanation of terms

Paid performance

Payment to the child for taking part in the performance, whether to the child or to any other person.

Unpaid performance

No payment is made to the child or any other person except for expenses.

Absence from school

Leave of absence may not be given to enable a pupil to undertake employment except in accordance with the licence. Absence from school will not be authorised for an unlicensed performance.

No licence is required when:

• no payment is made to the child and they have not taken part in performances in the previous six months on more than three days
• no payment is made to the child and the performance is arranged by a school
• no payment is made to the child and the performance is exempted by the secretary of state e.g. Scout gang shows.

How do I get a licence?

To apply for a licence please complete the application for a Child Performance Licence (.pdf format, 80Kb) or contact Attendance and Engagement.

• allow 21 days to receive your licence
• send a photograph with your application and make sure it is signed by the parents or guardians
• licences must be applied for per child, per production.

We must be satisfied that arrangements for the supervision and protection of the child are adequate and that the disruption to the child's education is kept to a minimum.

Medical certificates

Medical certificates are required with applications for children wishing to take part in licenced performances in any television or film work, 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 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 in the week allowed (i.e. six days) and the performances are required for more than one week, a medical certificate will be required.

For sporting activities and modelling, where the application is for a licence for an activity, a statement by the child's parent that the child is medically fit for the proposed activity must be provided with the original application.

Any costs incurred with obtaining medical certificates are generally accepted as being met by the body responsible for the production.

Related documents

• Body of persons information (pdf format, 95Kb)