A child doesn't require a performance licence when:

• The child is required to perform for one day, and in the six months preceding that performance the child hasn't exceeded the three-day unlicensed exemption period (a child can possibly perform for four days in a six month period without the need for a licence), and they don't require time off school (paid or unpaid)

or:

• The performance is under arrangements made with school or a body of persons (body of persons exemptions can be granted by a local authority or secretary of state if certain criteria are met), and no payment is made to the child or any other person, except for defraying expenses

If a child performance licence isn't required we still request that the organiser of the performance/show registers all children taking part. This can be done by requesting a performance licence exemption form from the child employment officer - child.employment@telford.gov.uk

The licence applicant is the person responsible for the production in which the child is to take part. This doesn't include the proprietor of a drama or dancing school, or other person (such as an agent) who provides children for a production but doesn't themselves present it. The holder of the licence is the person responsible for observing the restrictions and conditions subject to which the licence is granted. 

The licence applicant is the person responsible for the organisation of the sporting event or the person who proposes to engage the child as a model.

You can apply for a performance licence using the appropriate form. The application form should be returned at least 21 days before the start of the first performance.

The applicant should complete part 1 of the application form. It should then be forwarded to the parent of the child so that they have full details of the performance or activity their child is taking part in. The parent should then complete part 2 and sign where indicated.

Following completion by the parent, the applicant will then have full details of the child, including any medical details they should be aware of and are, therefore, in a position to satisfy the declaration and sign the application form. The form should then be submitted as a complete document to the Child Employment Officer, Attendance Support Team, Telford & Wrekin Council, 6 Darby House, Lawn Central, Telford, TF3 4JA. Please note that applications for both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council are processed at this address.

We may refuse to issue a licence if the performance is believed to be detrimental to the health, care and/or education of the child (1968 Act Section 39(6)). We may require additional information from the applicant before a licence is issued, and in some cases may also revoke previously issued licences (licences which are currently running) if there are concerns about the welfare of the particular child named in the application.

Children must be in the care of either their parent (the child’s legal guardian) or an approved chaperone at all times. Note: grandparents, uncles, childminders etc are NOT legal guardians (unless they're recognised as such by the courts) and, therefore, need to be approved in order to be the chaperone. Parents, unless they're approved chaperones, can't be responsible for children other than their own. The chaperone licence cost is £25. Please get in touch with the Child Employment Officer for more information child.employment@telford.gov.uk.

An authorised officer of the local authority or police officer may, under a magistrate’s warrant, enter any place where there's reasonable cause to believe that employment is taking place, or a person is believed to be taking part in a performance or being trained for dangerous performances contrary to the provisions of the act, and make enquiries about that person.

An authorised officer of the local authority or a police officer may also –

• Without a warrant, at any time enter any place used as a broadcasting studio or film studio, or one used for the recording of a performance with a view to its use in a broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition, and make enquiries about any children taking part in performances

• At any time during the currency of any licence granted under S.37 or relating to training for dangerous performances, enter any premises where the performance or training is authorised to take place, and make enquiries about the person to whom the licence relates

The licence holder (applicant) must hold individual licences for each child in their care at the place of performance. An inspecting local authority officer will wish to check each child’s licence together with their record sheets, which should detail things such as: arrival/departure/tutoring and performing times throughout the production for which the licence was issued. Inspectors may also want to talk to the children, matrons, parents and the applicant.

• Children & Young Persons Act 1933 & 1963
• The Children (Performance and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 

If children are to perform abroad a licence will be issued by your local magistrates court. For further information contact your local magistrates court or Bow Street Magistrates Court on 0203 1263010 x 5115.