The Children (Performance and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014
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.
Types of entertainment
This includes:
- taking part in a performance where the public pay to have access
- any performance in licensed premises, (hotel, public house etc.)
- any broadcast performance.
- any performance not falling within a broadcast performance but included in a programme service
- any performance that is being recorded for use in a broadcast, programme service or film
- taking part in modelling or sport for which the child or any other person receives payment.
When to apply for a child performance licence
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 us to check if this is possible, before making a submission.
Requests for a child performance licences less than five days in advance of the performance will be refused.
How to apply
Apply for a child performance licence (PDF, 101KB)
Send your completed applications to:
Email: yvette.jackson@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Licence holders responsibilities
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, read our guide for chaperones and performance licence holders.
Download the guide for chaperones and performance licence holders (PDF, 1.24MB)
Application for approval as chaperone (matron)
During a performance the child must be supervised at all times by a chaperone that has been approved by us, unless they are under the direct supervision of their parent or legal guardian.
To apply to become a chaperone you will need to:
- complete the application form
- provide two passport sized photos
- undertake a Level 1 Safeguarding Children course (e-learning)
- attend an interview with the Child Employment and Entertainment Officer
The Child Employment and Entertainment Officer will need to undertake a number of checks, which include:
- an Enhanced DBS Check (formally known as a Criminal Records Bureau Check)
- Social Care checks
You will also need to provide two references. The references are required within 28 days of the initial request made by the Local Authority. Failure to obtain these with 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.
The application form can be found below. The application form should be completed in full and returned (along with a photo) via email to yvette.jackson@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
The e-learning course is currently under reconstruction and unavailable at this time. The course guidance will be emailed to you by Westmorland and Furness Council when the site becomes 'live'. Please complete the course once available and ensure that you print and return a copy of your e-learning certificate to Yvette Jackson as soon as you are able.
Please note you will not be approved as a Chaperone until the course has been completed.
Once references are received the Child Employment and Entertainment Officer will contact you to arrange your interview. An online DBS will be set up for you following interview in order for this check to be undertaken.
Prior to the interview it is recommended that you read 'A Guide for Chaperones and Performance Licence Holders' document above. 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 chaperone and the treatment of children in your care. Your knowledge of the role of chaperone will form the basis of your interview.
Complete the application form
Download and complete the form (PDF, 268KB)
Chaperone application forms and supporting documents can be emailed to us.
Email: yvette.jackson@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk