The Legislation

The Children (Performance and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 sets out the arrangements that must be made to safeguard children when they take part in certain types of performances, paid sport or paid modelling and what the law requires of people responsible for putting on these performances and activities. 

The legislation is in force to secure the health, proper treatment, and education of children from the day they are born through to the day when they cease statutory school age. Statutory school age ends on the day the child can legally leave school, which is the last Friday in June of the school year in which the child reaches 16 years of age. It does not finish on their sixteenth birthday.


The term 'Entertainment' includes:

1.       Taking part in a performance where the public pay to have access.

2.       Any performance in licensed premises, (hotel, public house etc.)

3.       Any broadcast performance.

4.       Any performance not falling within (3) above but included in a programme service.

5.       Any performance that is being recorded for use in a broadcast, programme service or film.

6.       Taking part in modelling or sport for which the child or any other person receives payment. 


Applying for a Child Performance Licence

Every child who is taking part in a performance or activity, which falls under Section 37 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 must have a licence or exemption issued by the council in which the child resides.

The person responsible for the production or organisation of the activity must make the application for the licence.

Applications for Child Performance Licences should be submitted, in full, at least 21 days in advance of the scheduled performance. In exceptional circumstances, Licences may be issued if late applications are received; but this will be decided on a case by case basis. Please contact the Local Authority to check if this is possible, before making a submission. 

Requests for Child Performance Licences less than 5 days in advance of the performance will be refused.

Before issuing a licence, we must be satisfied with the arrangements for the supervision and welfare of the child; that the child is fit to take part in the performance and that their education will not suffer as a result of the performance.

The licence holder is responsible, throughout the period covered by the licence, for ensuring that the child is in the charge of a responsible adult. 

This person is known in law as a Chaperone.

To find out about the regulations that apply to children in Performance, including details of the Child Performance Licences, please see the 'A Guide for Chaperones and Performance Licence Holders' document below.

 

Chaperones in Entertainment

During a Performance the child must be supervised at all times by a Chaperone approved by the Local Authority, unless they are under the direct supervision of their parent or legal guardian.

To apply to become a Chaperone you will be required to complete the Chaperone Application Form, provide 2 passport sized photos, undertake a Level 1 e-learning Safeguarding Children course, and attend an interview with the Child Employment and Entertainment Officer.

The Child Employment and Entertainment Officer will undertake several checks which include an Enhanced DBS Check, (formally known as a Criminal Records Bureau Check) Social Care checks and obtain two references. The references are required within 28 days of the initial request made by the Local Authority. Failure to receive these within the specified timescale will result in the termination of the application.

Applications for Chaperone Approval can take approximately 3 to 4 months due to the number of checks which must be undertaken.  Once issued, the Chaperone Approval is valid for 3 years.

All documents required to complete the application and e-learning Safeguarding course can be found below. The application form should be completed in full and returned by email to yvette.jackson@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

If you do not complete the e-learning course, you will not be approved as a Chaperone. Please make sure that you print and return a copy of your e-learning certificate along with your application form to avoid any delays in your application being processed.

Once references are received, the Child Employment and Entertainment Officer will contact you to arrange your interview. A DBS Form (along with a list of accepted forms of ID) will be sent to you in the post. It is important that you prepare your ID documents ready for verification during the interview.

Before the interview it is recommended that you read 'A Guide for Chaperones and Performance Licence Holders' document below. You will need to be familiar with the content of the guide, as it gives you information on the law relating to your role as a Chaperone and the treatment of children in your care. Your knowledge of the role of Chaperone will form the basis of your interview.

During the interview, the Child Employment and Entertainment Officer will ask a number of questions regarding the Chaperone role and will carry out identity checks for your Enhanced DBS Check. You will also be guided through the final steps to become a Local Authority Approved Chaperone.


Key Documents


Contact us

If you would like to apply to become a Chaperone or obtain further information regarding Child Performance Licences, please contact us on the details below:

Email: yvette.jackson@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk