# What are the rules for casting child actors in the UK?

> In England a child under school leaving age always needs a performance licence from their home local council to work on a film or television production. The production applies, and a council may refuse an application made less than 21 days before the work. The child must be supervised by a parent or a council-approved chaperone, and schooling continues at three hours per school day.

## Who needs a licence?

- Children below the upper limit of compulsory school age. That generally runs to the last Friday in June of the school year in which they turn 16.
- The licence covers recorded performances intended for broadcast or film, and can be required whether or not the child is paid.
- One exemption: a child who has performed on no more than three days in the last six months does not need a licence for a fourth day. It cannot be used if the child will miss school.

## Who applies, and when?

The person responsible for the production applies to the local authority where the child lives, and holds the licence. An authority may refuse to consider an application if the performance is less than 21 days away, so young cast need to be confirmed earlier than adults.

## What are the rules on set?

| Rule | Requirement in England |
|---|---|
| Supervision | A chaperone approved by the council at all times, unless the child is with a parent, a school teacher or a home tutor |
| Time on set, under 5 | Between 7am and 10pm |
| Time on set, 5 and over | Between 7am and 11pm |
| Education | At least 3 hours per school day when the child is absent from school |
| Overnight break | At least 12 hours |
| Consecutive days | No more than 6 |

## Which law applies?

The Children and Young Persons Acts 1933 and 1963, and the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own regulations, so check with the council where the child lives.

## How does CW Casting cast young performers?

12 productions on the credit list were built around young casts. Catherine Willis saw over 700 auditions to find Oliver Savell, who plays the young Alan Carr in Changing Ends, and more than 300 children for The Duchess, where the part went to a child with no previous credits. Under-18s are asked to send tapes through a parent or guardian.

## Productions built around young casts

| Production | Year | Broadcaster or format | Casting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A Good Girl's Guide to Murder | 2025 | BBC | 3 series |
| Changing Ends | 2025 | ITV | 4 series |
| Tell Me Everything | 2024 | ITVX | 2 series |
| The Gathering | 2024 | Channel 4 | 1 series |
| Somewhere Boy | 2022 | Channel 4 | Casting director |
| Hetty Feather | 2020 | BBC | 4 series |
| Harriet's Army | 2014 | BBC Two | Casting director |
| Top Boy | 2013 | Channel 4 | Series 1 |
| Wolfblood | 2013 | BBC | 4 series |
| Skins Redux | 2012 | E4 | Casting director |
| Me and My Monsters | 2010 | BBC | Casting director |
| Dani's House | 2008 | BBC | 2 series |

## Sources

- [GOV.UK: performance licences and supervision for children](https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/performance-licences-for-children)
- [Department for Education: child performance and activities licensing legislation in England](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80d475e5274a2e87dbc0e2/Child_performance_and_activities_licensing_legislation_in_England_-_departmental_advice_-_final.pdf)
- [Spotlight: casting directors on casting young performers, 2020](https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/young-performers/casting-directors-talk-about-casting-young-performers/)

This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change. Check the sources and take professional advice for your production.

Last checked: 11 October 2026. Page: https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/rules-for-child-actors-in-the-uk