Children in Entertainment

Many children enjoy performing, whether in plays, films, advertising or on television and parents enjoy supporting them.  However, laws exist which are designed to protect children's welfare and prevent them from being exploited. (In particular, the Children & Young Persons Act 1963 and the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968).

In the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Education Welfare Service is responsible for licensing children in entertainment, and for authorising chaperones.  If you need any further information, and/or wish to apply to be a chaperone, please contact the Education Welfare Service ed.welfare@rbwm.gov.uk or telephone 01628 683174. 

Does my child need a licence?

All children under the statutory school leaving age, even babies, need a licence.  There are a few exemptions:

• Your child can perform for four days in any one year, if:
  - S/he has not performed at all in the previous six months and
  - S/he will not miss any school
• The Scouts' Annual 'Gang Show' has been granted a national exemption, and other charities can also apply to us for exemption.

However, the absence from school rule always applies, so, if your child will miss school for rehearsals and/or performances, s/he must have a licence.

How do I apply for a licence?

If your child is involved with a dancing school and/or a local show, the producer or secretary should apply to us for application forms. S/he fills in the first part of the form and then passes it to you to complete the second part.

A form is available for download at the end of this page.

If your child is registered with an agent, you need to check whether your agent or the production/TV/film company is applying for the licence.  Even if your child is performing outside the Borough, if you live within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the licence has to be authorised by the Borough's Education Department.

Once you have filled in your part of the application, you need to give it back to the appropriate person, together with two photographs and a copy of your child's birth certificate.  You may also need to provide a medical certificate from your child's doctor and a letter from your child's school if s/he will be absent from school.  The form is then sent to the Education Welfare Service for authorisation.

Is there a time limit?

Your child needs to have their licence before the performance takes place, therefore, we ask for the licence to be sent to us at least three weeks before the show starts.  We always try our best to issue a licence but, sometimes, if the application is very late, we may not be able to authorise your child's performance.

Your child does not need a licence once s/he is over the official school-leaving age, i.e. after the last Friday in June of the school year in which your child is 16 (Year 11).

What happens next?

Chaperones
All licensed shows must have authorised chaperones.  Their names have to be stated on the application form and we always check that they are currently authorised.  Parents can chaperone their own children but they must have a valid chaperones licence if they wish to chaperone other people's children.

The Licence
If approved, the licence is sent to the person whose name is on the front of the form.  A copy will be sent to you.  If the performance involves absence from school, a copy of the licence is also sent to your child's school.

If your child is performing outside the borough, a copy of the licence is also sent to the appropriate Local Education Authority.

Daily Record/Schedule/Portfolio
The Council sends the licence, which includes a photograph of the child, together with a daily record sheet, to the person who applies for the licence (normally the producer), to help safeguard your child's welfare.  The daily record sheet should be completed during the performance and returned to us once the show/performance is over.

School Performances
Schools (but not dance schools) are exempt from needing to have licences, except where your child may be involved in commercial work outside normal school activities.

Six Month Modeling or 'Open' Licences
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead does not issue six month or open licenses.  Instead, we aim to issue full licences for each performance or 'shoot' as they are required.  We can hold certain information on file so that we are able, whenever possible, to issue a licence within a few days.

If an agent takes your child on its books to do modeling/film work, please contact the Education Welfare Service to register your child. You will be asked to provide the following:

• A completed a copy of the part two of the licence application form signed by you as parent or guardian
• A supply of recent passport sized photographs
• A copy of your child's birth certificate
• A medical certificate from your child's doctor

These details will be held on file for a period of six months.

When the agent obtains modeling work for your child they must provide the Education Department with:

• A fully completed part one of the licence application form, including the exact details of the location and date of filming.
• A letter from your child's school giving permission for your child to be absent if the shoot is during school hours.
  These details can be faxed to the department and we will try to issue the licence as quickly as possible.

Can licences be withdrawn?

Yes, if we are worried about the welfare of your child.  But we would stress that we want to work in partnership with productions and parents so that children can maximise their opportunities.  However, your child's welfare is always of paramount importance.

Licensing Authority visits

We do have a duty to inspect places where children are performing to check that they are suitable and that the children are being looked after appropriately.  If the performance is outside the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the local Education Welfare Service for the area where the performance is taking place will make the inspection.  Whilst we cannot visit every venue, we do make random calls.

Chaperones

This department also licenses chaperones who live in the Borough.  (An application pack to become a chaperone can be obtained from the Education Welfare Service.  Also see our Chaperones page.)

 We would always urge you to check who is chaperoning your child, and whether s/he has a valid licence.  If you have any doubts, check with us.

Useful Documents

•   Performance Licence Form (pdf 53KB)

•   Recognising Child Abuse- a handbook for those working with children and young people who perform (PDF 100kb)