All children, from babies until they are no longer of compulsory school age, must be licensed when they take part in a performance or activity that falls under licensing laws.
If you are an organiser of an event involving a child or young person, please read the below guide to child performance licensing. In addition, if you wish to attend a briefing on your responsibilities as the licence applicant and the role of a chaperone, please contact the Child Employment Officer.
If you are a parent with a child working in the entertainment industry, read our Guidance for Parents
How to Apply
The person responsible for organising the production is responsible for applying for a licence.
You must submit your application at least 21 days before the start of the performance or activity.
You should apply to Dudley Council if the child lives in Dudley borough, attends a boarding school within the borough, or lives outside the UK but your business or organisation is based in the borough.
If the child lives outside of Dudley, you should apply to the Local Authority (LA) where the child's parents pay council tax. If you are unsure of the area, you can use this website to find the Local Authority by postcode.
Return the completed form to child.employment@dudley.gov.uk
or post to:
Child Employment Officer
The School Attendance and Education Support Service
Council House
Priory Road
Dudley
DY1 1HF
For help on completing the form, please read our guidance notes.
The regulations state the maximum number of hours a child, according to their age, can perform/rehearse and the breaks they must have. See the document below for more information.
Please note: If the child is not being cared for by a parent/carer or teacher who would ordinarily provide the child's education, they must be supervised by a licensed chaperone.
Exemptions
If a performance or activity runs for four days or less and no absence from school is required, you may be able to apply for an exemption.
You will need to submit your application at least 21 days before the start of the performance or activity. If it is found the child requires a licence once the exemption has been submitted, we cannot guarantee the processing of this in time for your performance.
Completed forms can be emailed to: child.employment@dudley.gov.uk
Body of Persons Approval
If your event involves a large number of children, you may apply for Body of Persons Approval (BOPA), rather than a licence for every individual child.
We will consider issuing a Body of Persons Approval, providing the organisation meets the criteria for application and the council is satisfied the organisations has clear, robust and well embodied policies for safeguarding children.
Reporting concerns about a child or young person performing illegally
Use this form to report a child taking part in a suspected illegal performance or activity within Dudley. Once you've filled it in, upload it to the School Attendance and Education Support section on MyDudley
Contact Us
Email: child.employment@dudley.gov.uk
Telephone: 01384 814314
Further Information
The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (Sections 23 to 30) and The Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (Sections 37 to 44) are the primary pieces of legislation that cover child performance and underpin the licensing system. These Acts determine whether a licence is required and give local authorities the power of enforcement.
The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 sets out: requirements of licences and exemptions, arrangements that must be made to safeguard children and what the law requires of people responsible for organising performances and activities.
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