Rules about how and when children can perform in
public were updated and clarified under proposals published
yesterday.
Outdated and confusing rules surrounding how and when
children can take part in public performances - such as treading the boards in
a local drama production or taking up a starring role in a film or TV show -
were updated under proposals published yesterday.
The
current regulations are complicated and restrictive, meaning children can often
miss out on exciting opportunities to show off their talents. The new
simplified rules will update these overly complex restrictions while keeping in
place important safeguards to ensure children are kept safe and fully
rested.
Children and Families Minister, Edward Timpson,
said:
Taking part in a local dance production or performing on
a West End stage can be hugely rewarding - helping to build important
confidence, teamwork and communication skills. Yet too often, children can miss
out on these exciting chances due to unnecessary barriers and
restrictions.
Simplifying the rules so children are able to access a
wide range of opportunities while keeping essential safeguards in place will
help children and young people show off their talents.
The
current rules mean that children under the age of 9 cannot be licensed to take
part in recorded or broadcast performances after 4:30pm, rising to 7pm for
children aged between 9 and 16 - meaning a budding Billy Elliot would have to
cast aside his ballet pumps before the evening show began if it was to be shown
on television.
There are also overly-bureaucratic regulations on how
many rehearsals or performances a child can take part in during a single day or
a week - no matter the duration of the session. This means an aspiring young
performer who takes part in a number of performances would be limited in the
activities they could take part in.
The
new rules will:
- replace the complex restrictions on the hours children
can perform with a single set of limits - based on age groups - which cover all
types of performances
- scrap the limit on the type of performances children can
take part in over a single day or a week
- strengthen the number of breaks children must have
during performances - making sure children get adequate rest
There will also be a greater emphasis on ensuring young
performers are able to wind-down and rest overnight.
The
proposals will now be publicly consulted on for 10 weeks.
Notes to editors
-
Read the consultation.
-
Learn more about the Children
and Families Act.
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