Brass Bands England (BBE) has confirmed that it will no longer be able to offer its National Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) for child performance licensing beyond April 2027, following a decision by the Department for Education (DfE).
Held since 2019, the BOPA has given BBE member bands a route to licensing performances involving children. Those who have completed BBE's BandSafe toolkit and training have been able to apply to their local authority under BBE's national approval rather than navigating the process alone.
Existing members will see no change before April 2027. However, bands joining BBE after 1st February 2026 cannot use it. The change applies to BBE's BOPA covering performances in England. BBE's BOPA for performances in Wales is held under a separate agreement with the Welsh Government and is confirmed until December 2026.
Challenge
4BR was informed that BBE is to challenge the decision, with Interim Chief Executive Sarah Baumann, stating: "We have adapted to every change DfE has asked of us, because we know how much our members value this service — so we are deeply disappointed by this decision.
What has not changed is our commitment to safeguarding brass bands. BandSafe, the toolkit and training, and our online DBS service all continue, and we will keep pressing the case that child performance licensing legislation, as it is currently applied, is not suited to community brass bands."
Make the case
Sarah added: "We have, and continue to make, the case to the DfE that the removal of the BOPA will result in the lowering of safeguarding standards due to the lack of consistency and context specific knowledge from local authorities."
Response
4BR was informed that BBE has set out four strands of work in response:
1. Working with other national bodies to develop standards and recommendations for child performance licensing officers, so the legislation is applied more consistently across the country, and pushing for BandSafe to be recognised as training by local authorities.
2. Developing specific advice and guidance for organisations working with multiple bands at a single event, such as contests and festivals.
3. Convening a Cross-Party Group for Brass Banding to raise the challenges bands face directly with MPs.
4. Speaking directly to the Department for Education, alongside advocacy partners, to challenge the suitability of child performance licensing legislation for community brass bands.
We have adapted to every change DfE has asked of us, because we know how much our members value this service — so we are deeply disappointed by this decisionSarah Baumann
Contact MPs
Bands are being asked to share their experiences of child performance licensing in their local authority and to write to their MP about securing the next generation of brass bands. BBE has also confirmed it is undertaking a full review of its member services and organisational strategy.
Briefing session
Members can obtain a sample letter to communicate with their Member of Parliament by emailing member@bbe.org.uk and sign up to a BOPA Briefing Session hosted by Sarah Baumann, and BBE trustee Reuben Tendler on Monday 26th October at 6.00pm on the BBE website.
A copy of the full communications sent to member bands can be found in the members resources on the BBE website.
