Children in Entertainment

This legislation applies to children who are involved in broadcast performances including those on televisions, film, radio or by way of internet streaming. It also includes non-broadcast performances such as stage performances including those taking place in venues such as theatres, sports clubs, hotels and church halls. Such performances may be produced by amateur or professional groups/companies and involve children in drama, music, song or dance.

There are performances where some or indeed all of the children may not require individual licences such as where a child has not taken part in other performances on more than three days in the six months preceding the performance in question. In such cases an “exemption” letter will be issued. Performances arranged by schools irrespective of where the performance takes place are exempt from the requirements of the legislation. However, where a school takes part in a performance organised by a third party the performance will be required to meet the requirements of the legislation, and it is the responsibility of the third party to make an application to EA for either licences or an exemption. 

Rehearsals that occur during normal performing arts classes do not need to be included. Only rehearsals that occur outside these classes, such as technical or dress rehearsals at the venue, need to be included in your application.

You should separate the performers into groups according to their performance schedule, for example, Group A and Group B.

You can either submit separate applications and spreadsheets for each group, or you can provide details of all groups on one application and spreadsheet. If you choose to submit one application for all groups, please ensure you clearly indicate on the spreadsheet which children are in which group and which rehearsal/performance dates and times relate to each group on the application.

Yes, as long as the school have granted permission for the child to be absent on the specified date(s). The principal will sign a letter to this effect for your records. You will need to submit this to CEET when applying for a full licence or indicate that you have it on the spreadsheet when applying for an exemption.

Our regulations do not allow us to grant a licence for any performance outside the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland. Instead, you should apply for a licence to the local authority where the performance is taking place, or where the organiser’s office is based. You/the other local authority should send CEET a copy of the licence for our records once it has been issued. Please see NNCEE guidance for more information – section 1 page 9 details this scenario.

Although CEET can grant a licence for any child performing in NI, we advise that you make contact with the child’s local authority first. Some areas prefer to grant the licence themselves so it is in place before the child travels. If this is the case, you/the local authority should send CEET a copy of the licence for our records once it has been issued.

If the child’s local authority is happy for CEET to grant the licence, we will send them a copy for their records once it has been issued.

A performance licence/exemption is valid for only the dates stated on the licence/exemption. If you require additional date(s), ie. for reshoots, ADR sessions, etc., please contact CEET.

If the additional day(s) fall within six months of a full licence having been granted, it may be possible to add them onto the existing licence, provided the approving officer is happy with the arrangements. If school absence is required, you will also need to provide a copy of the permission letter signed by the child’s principal.

It may also be possible for additional dates to be added to an exemption, provided it does not take the child over their four exempted days. Please contact CEET for advice.