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Advice on licensing children to work in certain types of performance or activity in England.

Legislation requires that all children from birth to the end of statutory school age are required to be licensed by the local council in which they live, to take part in entertainment or a paid activity (modelling or sport). Similarly children who undertake voluntary or paid part-time work must also be licensed by the local council.

Further information on licences and guidance on how to become a chaperone is available from the Derbyshire County Council website.

Read guidance about children working in entertainment or employment.

Performance licences and supervision for children

A child may need a licence if they’re under school leaving age and taking part in:

  • films, plays, concerts or other public performances that the audience pays to see, or that take place on licensed premises
  • any sporting events or modelling assignments where the child is paid

The person in charge of running the event must apply to the child’s local council for a child performance licence. Ask the council if you’re not sure if you need one.

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