With reference to your article Fight for child performers goes to Downing Street (page 1, May 22), on behalf of the National Network for Child Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) I would like to add comment.
The NNCEE, with its partners have been and continue to campaign to persuade government to modernise all child employment and entertainment legislation so that it is appropriate for today’s complex, multicultural society.
The NNCEE, ITV, BBC, TUC, Equity, Stagecoach, NODA, Little Theatre Guild, NSPCC and others, including the Children’s Legal Centre, have met recently to discuss the current situation regarding children taking part in either theatre or filmed performances and the difficulties experienced by, producers, agencies and local authorities because of the inconsistent interpretation of the law governing children’s performances.
The NNCEE commissioned ITV in 2007 to produce a DVD which highlights child protection issues when children are involved in filming or theatre performances. The DVD also highlights the confusion caused by the regulations governing child performances which has led to productions being halted or delayed, or where children have been refused licences because the regulations have been interpreted differently by different people, which, in turn, increases cost to the production company, and, more importantly, causes huge disappointment to children and their families. This DVD was launched from the House of Lords November 2008, but the campaign continues to roll forward to ensure that the entire regulatory process is modernised.
All those involved with children taking part in performances no matter what area they work in agree that there are times when the regulations fail to protect children and that there is need for urgent change of the regulations to include the government’s Every Child Matters agenda.
Paul Kirkman
PR officer
National Network for Child Employment and Entertainment
Treyew Road
Truro
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