When a child of compulsory school age is employed to work after school, at weekends or during school holidays, the law states that they must be registered for work with their local authority, who will issue a work permit.
Similarly, if they are involved in entertainment, which covers TV film, theatre, modelling and paid sport, they may require a performance licence and a licensed chaperone.
The work permits and performance licenses are issued by the Attendance Improvement Service.
The Attendance Improvement Officer that focuses on child employment is known as The Child Employment and Entertainment Officer and is available to:
- answer queries on employment and entertainment issues from the general public and inform children, parents and employers on what they need to do once a child is working
- write articles for schools to include in their newsletters
- issue permits or licences
- visit employers to offer advice and/or investigate instances of children who are reported as working illegally
Children performing under licence are required by law to have a licensed chaperone with them at all times, unless their parent(s) are filling that role.
The Child Employment and Performance Officer is also responsible for organising and delivering information or training to people applying for a chaperone licence, as well as inspecting a place of performance to ensure the production company are working within the law, where provision for children is concerned.
If you are unable to find the information you need or if you have any queries please contact the Child Employment and Entertainment Officer on 01392 287223.