You must submit your application at least 21 days before the first performance. If you need your licence issued sooner, please contact us as we may be able to complete your request in less time but there is no guarantee.
Apply for a licence
Child performance licences are free of charge. You can only apply for a child performance licence if you are the person responsible for the production or organising the performance that the child is taking part in (i.e. the producer or director). You will be known as the licence holder.
Guidance for completing a Child Performance and Activities Licence application form
The following guidance will help you complete a Child Performance and Activities Licence application form. By accurately completing the application form, Leicestershire County Council will be able to process and issue the required licence(s) as quickly as possible.
Please read this guidance before completing the form
This guidance has been produced to assist you in completing the Child Performance and Activities Licence application form; full and accurate completion of the form will enable the local authority to process the application and issue a licence as efficiently as possible.
The application form has been approved by the Department for Education. It is accepted by all councils and should not be altered in any way.
The applicant should complete Part 1 of the form.
It should be forwarded to the parent to complete and sign Part 2.
It should then be returned to the applicant who, having full details of the child including any medical conditions they should be aware of, should sign the application form on Page 7.
The completed form together with:
- a copy of the child's birth certificate
- 1 photograph of the child taken within the last 6 months
- a copy of the contract (if issued)
- a letter giving permission for absence from school (if applicable)
should be emailed to the local authority where the child resides.
All questions on the form must be answered.
Questions that require particular attention
Question 3
Ensure a full description is included. This information is required to ascertain what conditions if any need to be included on the licence.
Question 5
Ensure that the name of the venue and full address including postcode is entered. If the location does not have a postcode i.e. beach/park provide the postcode of the nearest building or where the unit base will be located.
Questions 6, 7 and 8
Clearly state the dates and time of day the child will be performing. Stating "within permitted hours" is not acceptable. If specific dates are not known a start and end date (not exceeding 6 months) should be entered with the number of days required within that period.
Questions 14 and 15
State the name and address of the chaperone and the name of the local authority who has approved them.
Declarations
The applicant applying for the licence must sign and date the form on Page 7. The parent must sign and date the form following the medical declaration.
In summary, you must:
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Ask the head teacher to complete and sign part 3 of the form if the child will need time off school, or provide a letter giving permission for absence from school
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Get a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate or passport to prove their date of birth
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Get 1 passport sized photograph or a digital photograph of the child taken within the last six months
Your duties as a licence holder
You must make sure that all children taking part in the performance are accompanied and cared for by their parent or an approved chaperone.
You are required to keep a record of the child’s performance times and breaks for 6 months after the last performance on the licence.
The Children (Performance and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 sets out important restrictions that must be followed to ensure children are treated correctly when taking part in child performances.