CHILDREN IN ENTERTAINMENT

NOTES OF GUIDANCE FOR MATRONS

RELEVANT LEGISLATION

Children and Young Persons Act 1933 & 1963

The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968
The Children (Performance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1998 (1)
The Children (Performance) Amendment Regulations
The Children (Performance) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2000
Statutory Instruments: 1968 No. 1728
1998 No 1678
2000 Nos 10 & 2384

The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968 set out the general terms and
conditions for children taking part in performances. Matrons need to ensure they are
familiar with all the conditions relating to the particular performance – and of when
and where discretion allows any variation to these general conditions.

Special attention should be given to the following

Part III – Regulations 10-15 are relevant to all Child Entertainment Licences whether
they are for a broadcast or non-broadcast performance or for a rehearsal.

Part IV – Regulations 20 – 23 are concerned with performances and rehearsals

which are not broadcast.

Part V – Regulations 24 – 31 are concerned with performances that are broadcast,

or recorded performances and rehearsals. Regulation 30 sets out the grounds under
which children may be on set after the latest permitted hours – but please note that
for night filming permission must have been given by the licensing authority and
should be shown on the licence. It may be that dispensation has been sought after
the licence was issued. It is acceptable for this dispensation to be granted as an
amendment to the licence, but matrons must ensure that there is written evidence of
approval for any such work.

NB If any exemptions are allowed by a matron under Regulation 31 (1) (a), the
matron must notify the Local Authority within the timescales set out in the
regulation.
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Regulation 10 – Education

If the licence stipulates that the child must receive tuition during the period of the
licence, the Licence Holder must have made arrangements for that tuition using an
approved tutor.

If this is the case, then the matron is responsible for ensuring the child is escorted to
and from the classroom but is not required to stay with the child. The matron should
record the times when the child receives any such tuition, and the number of other
children being taught by that tutor at the same time.

The tuition must be given during the permitted time when the child is allowed to be
present at the place of performance or rehearsal.