Young performers licensing guide

Licences for touring productions: Body of Persons Approval (BOPA)

What a BOPA is 

A Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) can be granted to an organisation for a group of child performers. This removes the need to apply for individual child performance licences for each child involved in a performance.  

Who can apply 

A BOPA is typically granted to amateur organisations such as youth groups or dramatic societies. It can also be granted to other organisations running unpaid children's performances that would otherwise require individual licences. 

How BOPA is different from a child performance licence 

There are similarities between a BOPA and a child performance licence, and much of the guidance covering child performance licences also applies to BOPAs.  

However, there are some key differences.  

A child performance licence applies to a specific child for a specific set of performances or activities. It is issued by the local authority where the child lives. 

A BOPA approves the organisation rather than the individual children. It allows the organisation to involve multiple children in a performance without applying for individual licences for each one. It is issued by the local authority where the performance takes place, regardless of where the children live. 

A BOPA can cover a series of rehearsals and performances, or a single performance, for a period of up to 24 months. It cannot be used for paid performances, though expenses may be paid. You should only apply for the time period actually needed for the performances. 

Role of the local authority 

The local authority where the performance takes place can issue a BOPA for a single location or a small number of locations. In exceptional cases where performances are taking place across many local authorities in Scotland, an application can be made to Scottish Ministers instead. 

How to apply 

Complete the Scottish Government BOPA application form and email it, along with all required supporting documents, to: performancebopa@gov.scot. 

Applications go through a number of clearance stages. You should allow up to 21 working days from the date a fully completed application with all required documents is received. Note that a BOPA cannot authorise absences from school. 

What you need to include in a BOPA application 

Applicants must provide: 

• details about the organisation, including its purpose, key roles and the named child protection officer 

• the age range and size of the group of children involved (large groups may be better suited to a BOPA than multiple individual licence applications) 

• confirmation that no child is being paid, other than for expenses 

• production and rehearsal details, including the schedule and durations 

• arrangements for appointing suitably skilled chaperones, following the same standards as for child performance licences 

• safe travel arrangements for children 

• a copy of the organisation's child protection policies and procedures 

• clear protocols for taking and using still and moving images of children, young people and vulnerable adults 

• risk assessments of the performance venue by the licence holder - ideally a joint risk assessment carried out with the venue operator 

• confirmation of parental consent for each child's participation 

• authorisation from the head teacher if any children will miss school 

• tutoring arrangements, where applicable 

Where relevant, you should also include plans for any audio or visual recordings of rehearsals or performances, whether by your organisation or a third party. This should cover the safeguards in place for the distribution and broadcasting of that footage, whether in the UK or internationally. 

Conditions that may be attached to a BOPA 

Licensing authorities may attach conditions under the 2014 Regulations, which may include: 

• working hour limits 

• limits on the number of performance days 

• chaperone requirements, including maximum child-to-chaperone ratios 

• travel safeguards 

• full implementation of child protection procedures 

• reporting of injuries or illness 

A child's involvement in performances must not significantly disrupt their daily life, education or play.  

If a child's involvement is prolonged or begins to affect their normal routine, an individual child performance licence should be sought instead.