Guide to child performance licensing

You can download the guide to child performance licensing from the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment.

It is essential that all applicants read the above guide to ensure accurate applications are received.

About the application

Licence holder

The producer is the licence holder and must sign the licence application.

The licence holder has responsibility for observing the restrictions and conditions of the licence, and keeping appropriate records.

How much notice you need to give

Please note that current legislation (The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 for child performance), requires 21 days’ notice for licence applications.

But, depending on workload, we may issue a licence with at least 7 working days’ notice (not including weekends or bank holidays) if we have:

  • a fully completed application, including part 1:
    • ‘within permitted hours’ is no longer acceptable
    • detailed chaperone information (chaperones cannot feature in the performance or production) a clear scan of the child’s birth certificate
  • part 2, including:
    • parental health declaration
    • school letter, where applicable
    • 2 clear passport style photographs - these can be taken on a mobile phone and must be have been taken within the last 3 months
  • the applicant and parent’s full contact details must include address, telephone number and email address
  • any safeguarding or child protection policies, signed and dated, and a copy of any contract or agreement concerning the engagement

Fill in all parts of the application

Please make sure you fill in all parts of the application before you submit it.

Any incomplete or missing paperwork is the responsibility of the applicant or agent and needs to be completed within the above time frames.

We may decline applications that we receive late or incomplete.

When a licence is issued it will be sent to the producer who signed the application.

Copies are also sent to the child’s parent or guardian, school and the local authority where the performance is taking place.

How to send your application

Send your completed application by:

Contact us

To get in touch you can: