Child performance licences and approvals

Children taking part in performance or entertainment activities must have a child performance licence issued by the local authority they live in. 

We may consider an application received with less notice if:

• the application is complete
• you have provided all supporting documents
• you have included permission from the child’s school, if needed
• we have capacity to process it

We will not accept an application received less than 10 working days before the first performance.

Who can apply

The person responsible for the production, performance or activity must apply for the licence.

This is a legal requirement.

When is a child performance licence required?

All children who perform in television, film, on stage, who work as models, or who take part in paid or professional sport, will require a licence issued by their local authority if:

• payment is being made to the child or someone else in respect of the child taking part (this includes payment in kind)
• the child needs to be absent from school to take part 
• the child has performed, licensed or not, within the previous 6 months  
• the performance is taking place on a licensed premises or the audience is paying to see them 
• the performance will be broadcast (includes internet streaming)
• the performance is recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a broadcast or intended for public exhibition
• it is not possible to use a Body of Persons Approval 

A child does not need a licence if:

• The performance is under arrangements made by a school (an educational institution that provides primary and/or secondary education) whereby the school is responsible for and producing the performance.
• A Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) has been granted to the organiser/producer by the Local Authority where the performance/s take place 

Apply for an exemption under the four-day rule

A child may be exempt from licensing if all of the following apply:

• no payment is made because the child is taking part
• the child does not need time off school
• the child will not have performed on more than four days in the previous six months, including the dates in your application

If all these conditions apply, you should apply for an exemption instead of a licence.

Before you apply for an exemption

Read the exemption guidance and eligibility criteria 

Time restrictions for child performers

The law limits the number of hours and days a child can perform.

The restrictions depend on:

• the child’s age
• the type of performance or activity

 Children in entertainment: restrictions for performances (pdf format)

How to apply for a child performance licence

You must apply online through our portal.

We do not accept applications by email.

Information you will need

You will need to give us details about:

• the child
• the production company
• performance and rehearsal dates, start/end times and locations
• the chaperones
• the licensing authority for any licensed chaperones
• the parent or carer
• the child’s welfare and education arrangements

Documents you will need

You must upload:

• a clear headshot of the child, taken within the last 6 months
• a copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport
• your child protection or safeguarding policy
• a risk assessment that covers every location
• a school permission letter, if the child needs time off school
• a copy of the child’s contract

Guidance for using the portal

Read the guidance on using the portal (pdf format) 

Get help

Parents and carers

You should contact the person applying for the licence. This is usually:

• the producer
• the child’s agent
• the organiser of the sporting event or photo shoot

Agents and producers

If you are applying for a licence, contact our licensing team.

• Email childperformancelicence@oxfordshire.gov.uk 
• Telephone:01865 323513  and select the Child Performance option

Body of Persons Approval (BOPA)

Under Section 37(3)(b) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, Oxfordshire Council has the authority to issue an exemption to an organisation that would normally be required to individually license any children taking part in performances. This exemption can allow children to take part in performances without the need for individual licences being applied for. This is known as a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA).

Who can apply for a BOPA

Your organisation must have:

• clear and effective safeguarding arrangements
• clear child protection procedures
• a child protection or safeguarding policy that is reviewed at least once every 12 months

Before you apply

Read the Body of Persons Approval guidance and eligibility criteria