Body of Persons Approval (BOPA)

The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014, allows us to issue an exemption to an organisation that would normally be required to individually license any children taking part in performances. This exemption can allow children to take part in performances without the need for individual licences being applied for. These are known as Body of Persons Approval (BOPA).

Any type of organisation can apply. It does not matter if they are a

• professional company
• amateur group
• stage
• broadcast

As long as no payment is being made to any person involved in the performance.

The organisation responsible for putting on the performance, and for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children taking part, must apply.

Applications will need to be completed in full at least 21 days before any performance takes place. This timeframe is given to ensure we have sufficient time to carry out appropriate checks. We need ensure there are sufficient safeguarding and risk assessments in place.

See our contact us section and get in touch to request a Body of Persons (BOPA) application pack.

The following information must be sent to us

• A fully completed Body of Persons Application Form
• A signed Contract of Agreement
• A copy of the organisation's Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy and Procedures
• A comprehensive risk assessment for the production taking place
• A list of the named chaperones who will be chaperoning children

For us to grant a BOPA, your group must demonstrate that you have clear, robust and well embedded safeguarding policies and arrangements in place that protect the children.

Your performance has to meet the following criteria:

• All rehearsals and performances must take place on the Isle of Wight. If any rehearsals or performances are taking place in other counties, those local authorities must also be approached for approval
• Any children taking part in a performance that requires absence from school, must have the written permission from the Headteacher to be absent for this purpose
  
• Any children, or persons acting on their behalf, must not receive any payment for their part in the production other than reasonable expenses, where applicable
• The organisation must have a regularly updated (every 12 months) child protection/safeguarding policy

We will ask you to agree to certain conditions which will include

• compliance with Regulation 11 and Regulations 15 to 29 of The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014
• ensuring an appropriate number of local authority approved chaperones are engaged to care for the children and that they are supervised at all times
• ensuring suitable arrangements for first aid
• a risk assessment must be carried out in respect of each place of performance
• maintaining detailed and complete records of children involved in the group including emergency contact details, any medical issues, and details of any additional or special needs
• telling us the number and gender of the children taking part
• obtaining a signed statement of fitness from the parent of each child

We have the right to refuse or withdraw a BOPA.  If a child performs in a production you are responsible for when you do not have a BOPA licence, you could face a fine of up to £1,000. You could also be sentenced to up to three months in prison.

We have a responsibility to enforce the licensing requirements. Inspections may be carried out in order to check that the licensing conditions are being met.