FAQs
How does it work?
Little London Kids is a non-sole agency and we represent children and families from all over the UK.
We are highly selective in the children we represent, only taking on those we believe have a strong chance of securing modelling and acting work.
Working as a child model or actor can be a rewarding experience for both children and parents. As well as earning fees for assignments, there is nothing quite like seeing your child featured in a TV commercial, film, advertising campaign, online content, or on product packaging.
At Little London Kids, we receive regular enquiries from brands, casting directors, production companies, and photographers looking for children of all ages, backgrounds, and looks. It is important that children enjoy what they do and are comfortable interacting with adults and other children in new environments.
When our books are open, you can apply via the Join page on our website by completing the application form and uploading clear, recent photos of your child.
Once submitted, our team will review your application and contact you if we would like to take it further. If you have not heard from us within two weeks, please assume that on this occasion we are unable to offer representation.
What age range do you represent?
We represent babies from newborn through to teenagers aged 18, as well as families. We require all applicants to be committed to both acting and modelling.
Is there a fee to join the agency?
If your child is accepted onto our books, there is a fee of £75 (including VAT) to create their web page on our website for 12 months.
There is no application fee, and this charge is only payable once your child has been offered representation by the agency. Parents have 30 days from the date of acceptance to proceed with joining the agency. Once the payment is made and the child's web page is created, the fee is non-refundable. There are no additional costs for the services provided.
How does the agency earn its income?
The agency earns its income through commission on work booked for its talent.
Our standard commission rate is 30% of all fees earned, excluding travel expenses. For recalls, fittings, and invoices totalling £100 or less, a reduced commission rate of 20% applies.
What kind of work could my child be booked for?
Opportunities may include photographic modelling for advertising campaigns, e-commerce, packaging, websites, and social media; television commercials, online content, music videos, corporate and educational productions; featured and speaking roles in television, film, and theatre; voice-over work; and supporting artist and background roles in television, film, and commercials.
Can you guarantee my child will book a job?
No. While we do our best to promote all of our talent, no reputable agency can guarantee work.
We only represent children we believe are suitable for the industry and likely to meet our clients' requirements. However, the final decision always rests with the client.
The amount of work available varies throughout the year and depends entirely on what our clients are looking for at any given time.
Be cautious of any agency that guarantees work, as no agency can predict future client requirements or booking decisions.
Will I need to travel?
Yes. You may be required to travel for castings, auditions, and bookings.
While work can take place anywhere in the UK, a large proportion of opportunities are based in and around London and Manchester. For this reason, it is beneficial to live within reasonable travelling distance of one of these areas. Please note that most castings/auditions are unpaid, and you will be responsible for travel expenses.
Will my child need to miss any school?
Yes. Many jobs take place during school hours, so children represented by the agency will often need to miss school in order to attend.
Most initial castings are now completed via self-tape from home. However, some projects will require an in-person casting or recall. Clients will usually try to arrange these outside of school hours where possible, but this is not always feasible. Castings and recalls are often arranged with only a few days' notice, so flexibility and availability are important.
We always work in line with child performance licensing laws and ensure the correct permissions are in place.
If you are not comfortable with your child missing school for castings, auditions, or bookings, this may not be the right industry for your family.
Can I accompany my child on set?
This depends on your child's age and the requirements of the production.
For children below statutory school age, a parent or guardian will usually be required to accompany them. Once a child reaches school age, either a parent may be asked to chaperone, or the production will arrange a licensed professional chaperone. In these cases, a parent or guardian will still be responsible for drop-off and collection.
Once a child no longer requires a child performance licence, they can usually attend bookings without a chaperone if appropriate.
Please note that productions will often only allow one parent or guardian to accompany a child on set. Due to space, safeguarding, and production requirements, siblings and other family members are generally not permitted to attend castings, auditions, or bookings.
What is a child performance licence, and do I need one?
In most cases, children are required by law to have a child performance licence in order to take part in professional modelling, acting, and performance work. This applies from birth until the child reaches the end of compulsory schooling (Year 11).
We will guide you through the process and handle licence applications on your behalf whenever required.
If your child is accepted onto our books, we will ask you to provide the necessary documentation so that we can obtain licences quickly and efficiently when opportunities arise.
What is Spotlight and how much does it cost?
Spotlight is the UK's leading casting platform, used by casting directors, agents, and production companies to find performers for television, film, theatre, commercials, and other productions.
Children can join Spotlight from 6 months old up to their 18th birthday, provided they are represented by a Spotlight-registered agency.
Spotlight membership is separate from agency representation and is payable directly to Spotlight. Membership fees and eligibility requirements can change, so for the latest information please visit: Spotlight /young-performers.
If you would like your child to be Spotlight registered, simply let us know and we will send you an invitation link to complete the registration process directly with Spotlight.
How does payment work once my child has completed a job?
We invoice clients once a job has been completed and allow up to 30 days for payment. While many clients pay sooner, not all payments are received on time, so parents are typically paid within 8 weeks of the booking taking place.
Please be assured that we actively chase any overdue payments, as the agency only receives its commission once the client has paid.
To avoid delays, please ensure your bank details are kept up to date on your child's account.
If travel expenses have been agreed with the client, receipts must be submitted to the agency no later than the day after the booking has taken place to ensure they can be processed and reclaimed promptly.
What happens once my child is registered?
We will submit your child for all opportunities they meet the criteria for.
If a client would like to invite your child to a casting, audition, or booking, we will contact you as soon as possible. In some cases, a client may ask us to check availability or confirm specific details before deciding which children to see, so we may contact you at this stage.
It is important to log in to your child's account regularly to ensure their profile is kept up to date. This includes updating availability, contact details, changes to appearance, and any other relevant information so that we always have the most accurate details when submitting your child for work.
Please ensure you check your emails regularly, as this is the quickest and most effective way for us to contact you about castings, bookings, availability checks, and other important updates. It is also the best way for you to keep in touch with the agency and respond promptly when required.
Managing Your Child's Profile
Keeping your child's profile up to date is essential. Clients expect to see recent photographs, accurate measurements, and current information, so please log in to your child's account regularly to make any necessary updates.
- Newborn to 3 months: Monthly
- 3 to 18 months: Every 3 months
- 18 months to 3 years: Every 6 months
- Over 3 years: At least once a year, or sooner if their appearance changes.
Please check and update your child's height and clothing size every month. Measurements should always be entered in centimetres.
Professional photographs are not required. Clear, natural photographs taken in good daylight are perfectly acceptable, provided they accurately represent your child.
Throughout the year, we also hold agency update days, offering children the opportunity to work with a professional photographer and update their profiles with high-quality, industry-appropriate images.
Please ensure:
- A plain background is used.
- Outdoor images are not permitted.
- Your child is photographed on their own.
- Hair is worn naturally.
- Photos are current and in focus.
Please avoid hats, dummies, food, wet hair, filters, car seats, high chairs, or photographs featuring other people.
Please keep your child's profile up to date by updating:
- Holidays and unavailable dates
- Changes to appearance (including missing teeth or braces)
- Experience, hobbies and achievements
- Height, clothing sizes and contact details
For babies and toddlers, it's helpful to include milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling or walking.
Keeping your child's profile accurate gives them the best possible chance of being submitted for suitable opportunities.