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Broadcast Performance Times

The table at the bottom of the page should be read in conjunction with the exceptions outlined below.

Broadcast Exceptions

If the Chaperone is satisfied that serious dislocation of schedules resulted in the child being requested to work beyond the allotted time, the Chaperone may permit the child to continue for a further 30 minutes. This is providing that the total work done in that day does not exceed that allowed for a child of his/her age (see table). When ANY such extension is authorised the Chaperone must notify the LA in whose area the child is working, either on the same day or the following day.
Education - aggregating hours - educational hours may be aggregated during each complete period of 4 weeks (or performance periods exceeding 1 week) as long as the child receives not less than 6 hours tuition per week and for not more than 5 hours per day during the permitted time allowed for a child of that age to be present at a place of performance, e.g. 5 days performing: 3 hours x 5 days = 15 hours x 4 weeks = 60 hours tuition required over a 4 week period. Children should not be allowed to lose educational hours due to long productions and heavy scheduling. Tuition days may include non-school days only under these exceptions. Agreement should be sought from the child's LA/school prior to aggregating hours.

Nightwork (indoors or out)

LAs may also allow working after midnight ONLY if they are satisfied that it is impracticable to complete the work before then. Any performance which takes place after midnight counts as part of the performance time allowed on the previous day. The child MUST also have a break of at least 16 hours before he returns to the place of performance after nightwork and if he/she does nightwork on 2 consecutive nights he/she CANNOT do any further nightwork for AT LEAST another week (7 days).
Nightwork MUST be agreed in advance and the LA is NOT BOUND to allow nightwork, even if they are satisfied that the child's appearance is necessary, if it may cause ANY harm to the child.

	Age 0 to 4	Age 5 to 8	Age 9 and over
Maximum time at place of performance	5 hours	7 ½ Hours	9 ½ Hours
Maximum times present	Between 09.30 - 16.30	Between 09.00 - 16.30	Between 07.00 - 19.00
Maximum Performing Time	2 Hours	3 Hours	4 Hours
Max time to take part without rest	30 minutes	45 minutes	1 hour
Minimum rest/meal times	All times when not taking part	Present 3.5 hours=2 breaks (1 hr meal & 15 mins rest) Present 8 hrs=3breaks 2 x 1hr meal & 15min rest	Present 4 hours=2 breaks (1 hr meal & 15 mins rest) Present 8 hrs=3breaks 2 x 1hr meal & 15min rest
Education	NIL	3 Hours per school day (see education for aggregated hours)	3 Hours per school day (see education for aggregated hours)

EXCEPTIONS to the above for BBC, ITV, a programme contractor (TV Act 1964 S.1(5)) or body supplying programmes to such a contractor for CHILDREN AGED 9 AND OVER ONLY ref 27(2)(a)

Maximum time PRESENT per 7 day week

12 hrs any 1 day OR 10 hours per day any 2 days OR 9 ½ hrs per day any 3 days provided not present on any other day that week and not present after 7pm on more than 20 days in previous 12 months.
Times between 7am and 7pm OR between 10am and 10pm.

ALTERNATIVE TO ABOVE EXCEPTIONS

Maximum time PRESENT per 7 day week

12 hrs 1 day provided not present more than 4 hrs on any other day that week and: does not take part for more than 2 hrs any other day that week and: does not take part on day following a day on which he was present after 7pm and: has not been present after 7pm on any of the previous days.
Times between 7am and 7pm OR between 10am and 10pm.