Chaperones for children in performance
According to what we currently understand of the law, you only need to apply for a performance licence for a child who is doing more than four performances, or has already done 4 perfomances in the preceding six months. We don't pay them, they don't miss school etc.
So if i cast child A, who was in a previous play, I fill in the performance licence form, telling the local authority who the licenced chaperone is, and the chaperone must be present each night (the parents are not present for the performance) and the authority may come and check up etc. All okay so far.
But suppose I cast children B & C and they take turns in the role, and they only do 4 performances each, and haven't done anything else in the last six months etc. I don't need to apply for a performance licence, so I don't have to declare who the chaperones are , and so the local authority don't know anything about it and so they can't enforce it?
Can anyone tell me if I have got this is right?
If so, I don't understand if child A needs chaperoning to protect them on a given night, why wouldn't the law want to ensure that child B or C to get the same protection on that same night if we go with the second scenario ?
Andy
Full Version: Question on Chaperones
QUOTE (Andy Lee @ Sep 25 2010, 08:06 AM) 
Chaperones for children in performance
According to what we currently understand of the law, you only need to apply for a performance licence for a child who is doing more than four performances, or has already done 4 perfomances in the preceding six months. We don't pay them, they don't miss school etc.
So if i cast child A, who was in a previous play, I fill in the performance licence form, telling the local authority who the licenced chaperone is, and the chaperone must be present each night (the parents are not present for the performance) and the authority may come and check up etc. All okay so far.
But suppose I cast children B & C and they take turns in the role, and they only do 4 performances each, and haven't done anything else in the last six months etc. I don't need to apply for a performance licence, so I don't have to declare who the chaperones are , and so the local authority don't know anything about it and so they can't enforce it?
Can anyone tell me if I have got this is right?
If so, I don't understand if child A needs chaperoning to protect them on a given night, why wouldn't the law want to ensure that child B or C to get the same protection on that same night if we go with the second scenario ?
Andy
According to what we currently understand of the law, you only need to apply for a performance licence for a child who is doing more than four performances, or has already done 4 perfomances in the preceding six months. We don't pay them, they don't miss school etc.
So if i cast child A, who was in a previous play, I fill in the performance licence form, telling the local authority who the licenced chaperone is, and the chaperone must be present each night (the parents are not present for the performance) and the authority may come and check up etc. All okay so far.
But suppose I cast children B & C and they take turns in the role, and they only do 4 performances each, and haven't done anything else in the last six months etc. I don't need to apply for a performance licence, so I don't have to declare who the chaperones are , and so the local authority don't know anything about it and so they can't enforce it?
Can anyone tell me if I have got this is right?
If so, I don't understand if child A needs chaperoning to protect them on a given night, why wouldn't the law want to ensure that child B or C to get the same protection on that same night if we go with the second scenario ?
Andy
If the child is not doing more than 4 performances in 6 months you have to apply for an exemption from licensing from the Local Authority where the show is taking place.
It depends on your authority then as to how they handle it. I live onthe border of 4 authorities and have to apply for children from each.
Some authorities issue an exemption certificate, some will confirm they are happy in an email or letter and some willjust give a verbal say so over the phone.
Some will ask that you have licensed chaperones even if an exemption is granted, others will accept a non licensed teacher or other adult. The best thing to do is get you know your local Education Welfare Officer.
One local authority near to me often turn up to inspect dance school and amatuer theatre shows that are exempt from licensing.
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