Licences Table

Licences table

Paid performances
or
unpaid performances
Type of WorkAbsence from school?Length of PerformanceMedical required?Licence required?
PaidTV or FilmingYesAny period of timeYes - unless one provided within previous 6 monthsLicence Required
PaidTV or FilmingNoAny period of timeYes - unless one provided within previous 6 monthsLicence Required
PaidTheatre, Sporting Activity or ModellingYesAny period of timeNoLicence Required
PaidTheatre, Sporting Activity or ModellingNoAny period of timeNoLicence Required
UnpaidTV or FilmingYesAny period of timeYes - unless one provided within previous 6 monthsLicence Required
UnpaidTV or FilmingNoAny period of time up to and including 4 days (and not performed within the previous 6 months)NoNo
UnpaidTheatre, Sporting Activity or ModellingYesAny period of time up to and including 4 days (and not performed within the previous 6 months)NoLicence Required
UnpaidTheatre, Sporting Activity or ModellingNoAny period of time up to and including 4 days (and not performed within the previous 6 months)NoNo
UnpaidTV or FilmingYes5 days or moreYes unless one provided within previous 6 monthsLicence Required
UnpaidTV or FilmingNo5 days or moreYes unless one provided within previous 6 monthsLicence Required
UnpaidTheatre, Sporting Activity or ModellingYes5 days or morePossiblyLicence Required
UnpaidTheatre, Sporting Activity or ModellingNo5 days or morePossiblyLicence Required

Back to top


Paid Performance

Payment to the child in respect of the child taking part in the performance whether to payment direct to him/her or to any other person.

Back to top


Unpaid Performance

No payment is made in respect of the child taking part in the performance, whether to him/her or to any other person except for defraying expenses. This means that there is no question of any payment or consideration to procure the services of any child taking part in the performance. (A Guide to the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968.)

Back to top


Absence from school

Leave of absence may not be given to enable a pupil to undertake employment except in accordance with the licence. The Act and Regulations contain no provision under which absence from school may be authorised for an unlicensed performance.

Back to top


Parental Declaration of Health

These are required with applications for children wishing to take part in licensed performances in any television, film work, theatre, modelling, radio and sporting activities regardless of any number of days or half days under the conditions of the licence.

Any licensed performance application must have a Parental Declaration of Health, signed by the parent or guardian. This form can be found below.

    Back to top


    When a licence is required

    A child shall not take part in a performance or activity except under the authority of a licence.

    Backdated licences should not be issued; they undermine the licensing process which is, after all, a safeguard for the children.

    When licenses are requested at short notice, local authorities will invariably try to accommodate requests. However there must be enough time to deal with the application detail beforehand.

    Productions should be mindful that the Local Authority can insist upon '21 days' notice (The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014)

    When sending details from one Local Authority to another - "the licensing authority must send to those authorities copies of the application form and the licence, together with any information they think should be brought to the notice of the other authorities." (Children (Performances) Regulations 1968, Regulation 4.)

    Back to top


    Further information

    Education Welfare Services
    48 Station Road
    Wood Green
    London
    N22 7TY

    Tel 020 8489 3477
    Email ews@haringey.gov.uk

    Back to top


    Page last updated:

    February 16, 2023