Licensing Children in Entertainment
The Education Welfare Service through the Child Employment
Officer is responsible for issuing licences for children in
entertainment. There are strict regulations regarding children in
employment and entertainment and infringements may be
prosecuted.
The law requires all children between the ages of 0 and 16 (or
rather from age 0 up until they reach school leaving age) to be
licensed by the local authority in which they reside in order to
take part in any of the following activities:
- performing on stage or in television, film, commercials
etc
- working as models
- working in paid/professional sport
If you require an application form for a performance licence,
please first check which local authority area the child’s home
address falls within. Some local authorities have slightly
different application forms so it is important to use the correct
application form when applying to different local authorities. If
the child lives in Kensington and Chelsea please use the
application form below. If the child lives in another borough,
please contact the relevant local authority to request an
application form.
The application form is also available in Word in case you wish
to save a copy locally:
Please read the form carefully before completing and signing it,
and return it together with all the relevant documents to the Child
Employment Officer. Please note we cannot accept any
incomplete applications, or applications by email or fax.
To meet legal requirements the application form must be the
original signed hard copy. Only complete applications with the
original form and all of the relevant supporting documents will be
considered.
Regulation 1(3) of the 1968 Regulations allows a licensing
authority to refuse to grant a licence if the complete application
is not received twenty one days before the performance in question.
Where possible, we will endeavour to process applications received
after the 21 day deadline provided we have a minimum of at
least seven days notice, but this is exceptional and such late
licence applications may be refused.
Please contact the Child Employment Officer if you
require further information.