General overview
Every child, from birth until their official school leaving date, is subject to the Children and Young Persons Act 1963,section 37, the Children (Performance) Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1998 and the Children (Performance and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014.
This means that if they are involved in television, filming, theatre, photographic work or a sporting event, they need either a licence or an exemption from the licensing procedures. Either a licence or a letter of exemption will be issued by the licensing authority which must by law be informed of the details of any performance involving children.
A licence/exemption is not required for a school organised event, such as a school play or nativity.
Exemption application
Exemption letters are issued to the organisation arranging the performance if the child(ren) meet(s) the following criteria:
- Will not miss any school time
- Is not being paid
- Will not have performed on more than 4 days within a 6-month period
- If the child is not being filmed
We require your application 21 working days prior to the first day of the performance – if this is not the case, please call ahead of sending in the application to discuss if it will be possible for the application to be processed in time for the first day of the performance.
The person responsible for the performance is responsible for submitting the exemption application.
Please ensure you apply to the correct council to avoid a delay in your application.
If any of the above criteria is met the child(ren) then require a license in order to take part in the performance.
License Application
Performance licences are issued to children where:
- A child must miss school in order to take part
- The child is being paid
- The child has or will perform on more than 4 occasions within the previous 6 months
- If the child is being instructed whilst being filmed
Please note: We require your application 21 working days prior to the first day of the performance – if this is not the case, please call ahead of sending in the application to discuss if it will be possible for the application to be processed in time for the first day of the performance.
The person responsible for the performance is responsible for submitting the entertainment license application.
When submitting a full licence application we also require:
- A passport sized photo of the child
- A copy of their passport or birth certificate
- Signed letter from their head teacher authorising school absence (if time off school is required)
Please ensure you apply to the correct council to avoid a delay in your application.
Which council to apply to?
You should apply to us for an exemption or license if the child resides within Staffordshire, if you are unsure, you can find information on the gov.uk website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest a child can be at a venue?
10pm up to the age of four, 11pm ages five and over.
Until what age does a child need to be licensed?
Until they reach the last Friday in June of year 11.
Who is responsible for ensuring the children are in a safe environment?
The organisation that are putting on the performance. There should be a dedicated child protection officer (could also be a head chaperone) who would be the applicant within the organisation. This duty also falls upon the chaperones to ensure they have sight of the children in their care at all times and they do not come into contact with any danger.
Are children allowed time off school to perform?
Yes, if this is authorised by their Head teacher. This decision has to be made for every individual application of leave and is completely at the Head teacher’s discretion.
Contact us
Children in Employment & Entertainment
Staffordshire Place 1
Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2LP
ew.statutoryactions@staffordshire.gov.uk
Chaperones
Chaperone licences
A child under school leaving age, who is involved in a theatrical production, filming or modelling must be accompanied by a registered chaperone at all times.
What is a chaperone?
A chaperone is an adult who supervises a child who is taking part in performances. They ensure the health, safety and education needs of children in their care are met at all times.
Grandparents, uncles, child minders etc are not legal guardians (unless they are recognised as such by the courts), and must be approved in order to chaperone a child. Parents, unless they are also licensed chaperones, cannot chaperone children other than their own.
Role of a Chaperone
A chaperone acts in place of a parent and must give the same care a good parent would.
- The child’s safety and wellbeing come first.
- The child must never perform if unwell.
- If there are serious child protection concerns, call the police immediately and remove the child from the situation.
The chaperone can refuse requests from the production company if they harm the child’s health, wellbeing, or education. For example:
- Asking the child to stay longer than allowed by their licence or regulations
- Reducing education time
Important Checks
- Keep contact details for:
- Licensing authority
- Child’s local authority
- Local authority where the performance is
- Child’s agent
- Parent or guardian
- Always check the child’s performance licence on arrival.
- If the production company cannot show the licence, inform the child’s local authority or the local authority for the performance area as soon as possible.
What must a chaperone do?
- Ensure they have disclosure and barring service clearance before undertaking duties.
- Be aware of the safeguarding children procedures.
- Inform the first response team of any child protection concerns.
- Make sure that emergency contact details of the children are held at the place of performance by the production company and are accessible if requested.
- Record injuries in the accident book and inform parents and the local authority as soon as possible.
- Be familiar with first aid and emergency procedures and always check that escape routes are clear before each performance.
- Ensure that suitable travel arrangements are in place and that the person previously agreed collects each child.
- Make sure that children leave no later than 30 minutes after the end of their part, and no later than 10pm (under 13 years), 10.30pm (13 years and over).
- Remain with the children at all times, except when the children are performing.
- Look after no more than 12 children.
- Co-operate with local authority officers if they enter premises where a performance is taking place.
How do I apply?
How to Apply to Become a Chaperone
- Complete and return the application form and supporting documents.
- Apply at least 3 months before the first performance you plan to chaperone.
DBS Check
If you do not have a valid enhanced DBS for child workforce (dated within the last 12 months), you must:
- Complete and return all forms
- Include a passport-style photo (digital is fine)
- Pay an admin fee of £25
Payment can be made:
- By cheque
- By phone on 01785 277 777
Sending Your Forms
If you need to apply for a DBS check through us, let the team know when you apply and they will send you the link to complete the application form to verify your ID and send off for your DBS check. If you do apply to us for an enhanced DBS certificate, you may receive your certificate before your chaperone licence; this is normal as we may still be undertaking checks such as awaiting to hear back from your nominated references.
If you already have a valid enhanced DBS (dated within the last 12 months) then you will just need to complete forms 1 and 2 and return with a copy of your Enhanced DBS certificate and a passport style photograph.
Please note: To chaperone a performance it is essential that you have your badge with you at all times. Any badges which are misplaced during the three years will incur a £5 administration fee for a replacement badge to be reissued.
Please ensure you apply to the correct council to avoid a delay in your application.
Character Reference for Registered Chaperone for Children in Entertainment
Duties of a chaperone (volunteer)
According to the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968, children who take part in performances must be supervised by a responsible adult, known as a chaperone. A chaperone acts in loco parentis (in the place of a parent) and should exercise the care which a good parent might reasonably be expected to give those children.
A chaperone’s first duty is to look after the children in his/her care. The chaperone must not undertake any activity that would interfere with the performance of these duties.
The chaperone’s sole concern must be to protect the health, safety, moral welfare and education of all the children in his/her care whilst ensuring their kind treatment. Chaperones have the authority to withdraw a child from a performance if they have good reason and should have the confidence to do so when it is in the interest of the child.
Contact us
Children in Employment & Entertainment
Staffordshire Place 1
Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2LP