Child performers and chaperones
Child performance licences
Applications for a licence must be signed by the applicant and the parents. We must be satisfied that arrangements for the supervision and protection of the child are adequate and that the disruption to the child's education is kept to a minimum.
We may refuse to grant a licence if the application form is not received at least 15 working days before the licence is required.
Key questions covered by the regulations are:
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does the child reside in the Lewisham borough?
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is it broadcast on television?
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is it intended for filming?
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is it in school time? If so, a consultation must be made with the child's head teacher – and an agreement letter written
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is the child/young person fit to take part? A medical must be obtained if the child has worked four days or more in a six month period
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is the activity safe?
Absences from school
Legally, a pupil must have a licence in order to be granted a leave of absence to undertake employment.
Medical certificates
Medical certificates are not required, however, a declaration which parents must complete on behalf of their child is included in the application form.
For all enquiries relating to child employment, please email childemployment@lewisham.gov.uk.
Exemptions
You don't need a licence if...
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no payment is made to the child and the child has not taken part in performances in the previous six months on more than three days
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no payment is made to the child and the performance is arranged by the school
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no payment is made to the child and the performance is exempted by the Secretary of State, for example, scout gang shows
If you need an exemption letter for young people to perform under the three day rule, you must email your request giving 10 working days’ notice.
Child performance licence application form
Pdf, 302.1KB
Child performance exemption request form
Word, 75.6KB
Child chaperone licence
You need a licence to chaperone children who work in entertainment and performance. You don't need a licence to chaperone your own children.
How to apply
To become a chaperone you need to:
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apply online
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have an interview and safeguarding training
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have a DBS check, which we will carry out
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give us two references
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have a children’s social care check
To apply for a licence, you need to log into your My Lewisham account. If you don’t have one already, click 'Apply for a chaperone licence’, then choose 'register' and follow the instructions to create your account. You'll need:
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your past employment details
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details of two people who can give you a reference
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an electronic passport-size photo of yourself
You also need to upload a scanned copy of a signed declaration for this application.
Interview and training
After you apply, we will invite you to an interview and to do an online child protection training course. There is a fee for the course.
After you apply
After we have done your background checks, we will issue you with a chaperone licence.
You should carry your licence while you are chaperoning, unless you are chaperoning your own children.
If we don't hear from you within 28 days, we'll close your application.
Do you need a licence?
Find out if you need a licence for different types of paid and unpaid work.
Paid work
| Type of work | Absence from school? | Length of performance | Medical required? | Licence required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV or filming | Yes | Any period of time | Yes – unless one provided within previous six months | Yes |
| TV or filming | No | Any period of time | Yes – unless one provided within previous six months | Yes |
| Theatre, sporting activity or modelling | Yes | Any period of time | No | Yes |
| Theatre, sporting activity or modelling | No | Any period of time | No | Yes |
Unpaid work
Non-payment to the child in respect of the child's taking part in the performance whether to him/her or to any other person.
| Type of work | Absence from school? | Length of performance | Medical required? | Licence required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV or filming | Yes | Any period of time | Yes – unless one provided within previous six months | Yes |
| TV or filming | No | Any period of time up to and including four days (and not performed within the previous six months) | No | No |
| TV or filming | No | Five days or more | Yes unless one provided within previous six months | Yes |
| Theatre, sporting activity or modelling | Yes | Any period of time up to and including four days (and not performed within the previous six months) | No | Yes |
| Theatre, sporting activity or modelling | No | Any period of time up to and including four days (and not performed within the previous six months) | No | No |
| Theatre, sporting activity or modelling | Yes | Five days or more | Possibly | Yes |
| Theatre, sporting activity or modelling | No | Five days or more | Possibly | Yes |