Children (from birth to when they finish compulsory education) have to be licensed when working in:

• television
• films
• theatre
• modelling
• certain sporting activities

Compulsory education ends on the Friday before the last Monday in June, during the academic year that the child reaches the age of 16. After this date, an entertainment licence is no longer required.

The child will need an agent to organise and arrange performances. The agent is also responsible for payment made to the child for the work they do.

Children in entertainment must be in the care of their parent, legal guardian or licensed chaperone.

Child entertainment licence application form

The local authority where the child lives is responsible for issuing an entertainment (also known as performance) licence. 

Barking and Dagenham local authority may refuse to grant a licence if the licence application is not received at least 21 days before the day on which the first performance or activity takes place. However, in order to support children to access opportunities to perform, we can issue a licence with 10 working days’ notice, providing all documents relating to the application have been completed correctly. A licence will only be issued providing all the requirements are met.

Child entertainment licence application form (DOCX, 42 KB)

Performances or organised activities abroad

Children are allowed to travel abroad to perform or be involved in organised activities. However, up until the age of 18, they must have a valid young persons employment abroad licence.

Young persons performing abroad licence guidance (PDF, 86 KB)