Apply for a child performance licence

About child performance licences 

As the person responsible for a professional production or performance, you will need a child performance licence for any school-aged child performer. 

You may also need a licence for amateur performances in specific circumstances. 

School-aged means up to the end of the academic year in which the child turns 16. 

A licence is not needed if a school or other education provider arranges the performances. 

Performances include: 

• filming and broadcasting
• modelling
• sporting activities
• theatre
• television 

When you need a licence

Professional performances

A school-aged child needs a licence for any professional performance that: 

• is paid work
• means they need to miss school to perform
• lasts more than 4 days in a 6-month period, whether these days are together or not
• has taken place within the previous 6 months, licensed or unlicensed
• takes place at a venue where alcohol is served 

Amateur performances

A school-aged child needs a licence for any amateur performance where they perform more than 4 times in a 6-month period. 

Find out more about child employment on GOV.UK 

Performance hours

There are strict guidelines on the number of hours and days a child can perform. These hours vary according to their age and the nature of the work. 

Exemption letters

A child does not need a licence for most amateur performances if they’re not missing school and not performing more than 4 times in a 6-month period. 

In this case, you need to get an exemption letter from us confirming the child does not need a licence. 

A licence or exemption letter is not needed if a school or other education provider arranges the performances. 

How to apply for a licence

When to apply 

You need to apply for a licence at least 21 days before the performance. 

In exceptional circumstances, we can issue a licence more quickly. If this is the case, email us at child.employment@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or phone us on 020 8921 8510. 

Before you apply

Contact the child’s school 

If the child is going to miss any school, you must contact the school before applying to ask them for a letter stating they're happy for the child to do the performance. 

You may need to arrange for a tutor to accompany the child if they're going to miss a lot of school. 

Prepare the documents you’ll need 

Along with your application form, you’ll need to send us: 

• 2 photographs of the child taken in the last 6 months
• copy of the child's birth certificate
• copy of the performance contract
• signed medical certificate
• copy of your organisation's child protection policy
• the name of the local council where the performance will take place
• the name of the child’s chaperone (if applicable)
• letter from the child’s school (if the child will miss any school)
• parental health declaration (for sports activities and modelling only) - this is a statement stating the child is medically fit for the proposed activity 

Apply for a licence

The person responsible for the production or performance must apply for the licence. 

There’s also a section that a parent needs to complete. 

The form must contain the hand-written signatures of the applicant and the parent. Unfortunately, we cannot accept digital signatures. 

Complete a child performance licence application form:

Post us the completed form along with the supporting documents, or bring it in person to the Child Employment Team at our office in The Woolwich Centre.