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Save Safeguarding child performers
The 1968 regulations and guidance that cover child performances were established under the Children and Young Persons Act 1963. Their aim was to ensure the health, safety and well-being of children taking part in public performances (including plays, shows and broadcasting). Performing can be good fun for children as well as offering opportunities to develop skills and talents, however it is vital to ensure that appropriate and proportionate safeguards are in place.
Exploratory review of the regulation of child performance
On 14 December 2009, the Secretary State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls and Ben Bradshaw, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced a review of these 40-year-old rules governing child performances.
The review followed informal discussions last year with a wider range of stakeholders – including children’s organisations, broadcasters, producers, representatives of theatres and local productions, psychologists and local authorities (LAs) – which found that the existing regulations were outdated and that applying current legislation in today’s settings was difficult.
The review was undertaken by Sarah Thane, CBE, former Chair of the Royal Television Society and former advisor to Ofcom.
Sarah Thane was asked to explore what a modern, effective and proportionate set of arrangements for the regulation of child performance might look like so that children can continue to enjoy performing and remain safe while doing so.
Report on the outcome of the review
At the end of February, Sarah Thane reported to the Government on the outcome of her exploratory review. Her report sets out a range of recommendations to reform and rebalance the system for licensing child performance including the rules around working hours, medicals, education, under 14s, the definition of performance, and proposals about the inspection arrangements. It also includes proposals in relation to chaperones and in respect of the amateur sector.
Government response
On the 19 March the Government published its initial response to Sarah Thane’s report. The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and the Secretary of State for Media, Culture and Sport widely welcome this considered review and its recommendations. The Government will seek to introduce any changes resulting from this review as soon as practicably possible, subject to identifying the best implementation mechanisms and any resource implications. A public consultation document will be issued setting out the detailed arrangements in due course.
Further information
If you have any queries on this area of work, please email the Child-performance safeguarding team.
Associated documents
Exploratory review of the system of regulating child performances: Report by Sarah Thane, CBE (March 2010)
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Last updated on 19/03/2010
