Child performance and employment
Children and young people who work in the entertainment or business industry can gain rewarding and valuable experiences. Legislation exists to ensure that children are not exploited, are employed safely and that their education and health does not suffer. It is illegal for any child to work within a business without a child work permit or in entertainment without a performance licence or authorisation from their local council, unless an exemption applies.
Child Performance Licence
Any child taking part in a performance, which can include TV or filming, voice recording, radio, theatre, sporting activity or modelling, needs a performance licence (except in certain circumstances).
A licence may be required regardless of payment being made for participation in the activity.
For further information about the child performance licencing, please download a copy of the child performance licencing and inspections policy or visit the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) website - where you can download useful guides and application forms.
Child performance legislation
The legislation governing child performance licensing is The Children and Young Persons Acts 1933 and 1963 and The Children (Performance & Activities, England) Regulations 2014.
To find out more about these go to:
National network for children in employment and entertainment
A child performing or rehearsing for a performance must be supervised at all times, by a local authority registered chaperone, unless they are under the direct supervision of either their parent or a teacher from their school.
A registered chaperone may look after is 12 children, their first priority must always be the child. They must ensure that children in their care:
- Only work the hours that they are licensed to
- Gets proper meals and rest
- Are allowed sufficient time for their education
A chaperone must be able to negotiate with the production company and ensure that what is being requested of the child is within the terms of their licence and not detrimental to their well being.
The law places restrictions on the type and amount of work that children under 16 can carry out. As well as employment in its normal meaning, the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 states that a "person who assists in a trade or occupation carried on for profit" is considered as employed even though he or she may receive no payment. This means the that law applies where, for example, children help their parents in a shop without receiving any payment.
An employer may need to obtain a work permit for a child from the local authority where their business is based.
A child includes any person who has not yet reached compulsory school leaving age and is aged 13 and over.
It is illegal to employ children under the age of 13 unless they are participating in a performance, in which case a child performance licence may be required.
This does not include work experience organised by a school for children in years 10 and 11.
There are also restrictions on the types of environments in which children aged 13 over can work. These include places that offer gambling or alcohol, or environments that may be dangerous to them. Download the City of London's byelaws for further information.
Applying for a permit
Businesses located in the City of London will need to apply to the City of London's Education and Early Years Service. The work permit application form must be completed at least 10 working days before the child is due to start work.
Further information
020 7332 1750
Please contact the Education and Early Years’ Service for further information and for the application process.
To issue a permit, licence or exemption, we must be satisfied that the children’s health, welfare and education will not be harmed by them working. How many hours a day and week a child can work will depend upon their age.
Contact us
Department of Community and Children's service
City of London
PO Box 270
Guildhall
London, EC2P 2EJ
Phone: 020 7332 1002
Email the Education and Early Years Team