Children in entertainment

All children from birth and 16 who take part in performances, filming, modelling or paid sport must have a licence issued by the LA in which they live, unless they are exempt.

It is recognised that taking part in performances can be an important part of a child’s education for life, however we cannot grant a licence unless we are satisfied that the child is fit to do so, that proper provision has been made to secure health and kind treatment and that their education will not suffer by taking part in the performance.

We issue licences for children to take part in amateur dramatics to West End shows.  We issue the licence once we have undertaken checks to ensure the child is working within the law. All licensed children have to be looked after by a chaperone or their own parent at all times, whilst taking part in a performance. We approve chaperones and they all have enhanced DBS checks, social care checks and have to attend an interview if they are a new chaperone. They also need to undertake safeguarding training. Chaperones are then approved for a three year period.

We offer training for our chaperones in conjunction with Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell Council.  Warwickshire are part of a network called NNCEE – National Network of Child Employment and  Children in Entertainment, this is made up most of local authority staff but agencies can also join. 

It is the applicant who is responsible for applying for the licence.  For more information including the hours children can take part in entertainment go to: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/childentertainment