Liverpool City Council - Licence required

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Sunday 7 September 2008

Child performance licence

Do I need a licence?

If you do not know whether or not a licence is required, view the child performance page for guidance

N.B: A child acting as an understudy must be licensed in the same way as other children in the performance.

A six-month "open licence" will be issued for modelling.  The agent must provide a completed application form and supporting documents.  The licence will be held on file for six months during which the agent is required to notify the Safeguarding Unit / Child Licensing Team 48 hours prior to an assignment or shoot.

A licence will not be issued unless Liverpool City Council is satisfied that the child is fit to take part in a performance, that his / her education will not suffer and that proper supervisory arrangements have been made to secure the child's health and wellbeing.

Who can apply?

The person responsible for the production of the performance in which the child taking part is the person who should make the application for the licence.  This is usually the producer and not the dance coach or parent.

The person who signs the application form is deemed to be the licence holder.

Licence holder responsibilities

• The licence holder is responsible for observing the conditions of the licence.
• In certain circumstances, the licence holder is responsible for ensuding adequate provision of education. See education guidance
• Wherever children are involved in a public performance (for which a licence has been issued), the law requires that they are cared for at all times by a registered Matron / Chaperone.  
• It is the responsibility of the licence holder to ensure that there are the appropriate number of required Matrons / Chaperones, (1 : 12 for children over 10 years of age and 1 : 8 for children 10 years of  age and under) on duty at each performance.  
• They must provide the supervision required by law. 
• The licence holder is expected to empower the appointment Matron to adequately fulfil their role in safeguarding the wellbeing of child(ren) in their care.
• The licence holder is required to keep records, which must be retained for at least six months, following the last performance to which the licence relates.
• The licence holder has a duty to report any concerns they have about a child's welfare to Liverpool Children's Services Careline - 0151-233 3029 or Merseyside Police - 999 or 0151-709 6010.   

How to apply / guidance

Note: Parents / guardians should send all completed forms to the agent / producer. Parents should not send forms directly to us.

• The applicant completes Part 1;
• The parent / guardian of the child named on the application form completes Part 2;
  The completed application form must be accompanied by the following documents:-
  • A full copy of the Birth Certificate of the child;
  • Two identical (un-mounted) prints of a photograph of the child taken during the sixth months preceding the date of the application;
  • A copy of the contract or other documents containing particulars of the agreement regulations the child's appearance In the performance (i.e. filming schedule) or regulating the activity for which the licence is requested;
  • Details of a child's performance within the last six months (if applicable); 
  • If the child is under 14 years of age - a declaration under Section 38(i)(a) or (b) of the Children and Young Person's Act 1963 is required;
  • Medical Certificate (if required - view medical guidance) 
  • Head Teacher letter of authorisation (parent / guardian should obtain from school)   

Application forms

• Child performance licence application form
  To be completed by parent / guardian and agent / producer
  
  
• Child's performances within the last six months form
  To be completed by parent if child has performed in last 6 months
  
  
• Declaration under Section 38
  To be completed by parent only if child is under 14   

Completed application forms and supporting documents should be returned by the agent / producer to:

Safeguarding / Children Licensing Unit
Liverpool Children's Services
Municipal Buildings
Dale Street 
LIVERPOOL
L2 2DH
 
Tel: 0151-225 6242
Fax: 0151-225 6220

Any queries or complaints should also be addressed to the above.

Enforcement

With a Warrant

An officer of Liverpool City Council, or a Police Officer, may enter any place where there is reasonable cause to believe that employment is taking place

Without a Warrant 

An officer of Liverpool City Council, or a Police Officer, may at any time enter any place:-

• Used as a broadcasting or film studio;
• Used for the recording of any film in the performance which is intended for public exhibition and make enquiries about any child(ren) taking part;
• A child is believed to be taking part in a performance or being trained for dangerous performances and may make enquiries about the child.