Children and Young People
In employment, work experience and entertainment
Entertainment licensing (also known as Performance or Stage licences for school age children)
Children, from birth to when they finish compulsory education, have to be licensed when working in television, films, theatre, modelling and certain sporting activities. A licence for the child is needed when a performance has been arranged.
This is a requirement under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968 and the Television Act 1964.
The local Council issue entertainment (also known as performance) licences for children who live in their area only.
The child will need an Agent to organise and arrange performances. The Agent is also responsible for payment made to the child for the work they do.
The Agent must send a completed Form of application for a Licence (
PDF 29K), to the Access and Attendance team for children who live in Barking and Dagenham.
Parents, legal guardians or licensed chaperones must supervise a child or young person who works in entertainment.
Obtaining an entertainment licence
The Form of application for a Licence ( PDF 29K) comes in 2 parts.
Part 1 of the form is completed by the child's Agent, producer or organiser who is also responsible for finding work or performances for the child and for payment of the work they do.
In part 1, the Agent needs to provide information about the date, time, place and content of the performance (assignment).
The Agent will also need to provide details of the child, the name of the school the child attends, the amount of time that will be missed from school (if applicable) and details of the chaperones.
Part 2 is completed by the child's parent, carer or legal guardian who will also need to provide, with the application, a copy of their child's birth certificate, a current certificate of health for the child from a Doctor and 2 passport size photographs of the child.
If taking part in the performance means that the child will miss time from school, then the parent should obtain a letter of permission from the Head Teacher.
The Doctor's certificate is valid for 6 months but a new application form, 2 passport size photographs of the child and a letter of permission from the school (if needed) are required for each new application.
Both parts of the form are then returned to the Access and Attendance Team at least 5 working days before the performance takes place. A licence will be issued providing all the requirements are met.
Frequently asked questions about Performance/Entertainment licences.
If you require further information on Performance/ Entertainment Licences for children please contact the Access and Attendance Team.
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