BBC Children in Need Freelancers- contracting and payments
BBC Children in Need launched a new system to contract and pay our freelancers and contributors on 1 July 2026.
This new system enhances transparency across our engagement processes, allowing us to improve internal checks, comply with all regulatory requirements and ensure all freelance engagements across BBC Children in Need are handled in a consistent and centralised way and align to the wider practices across the BBC.
How am I engaged?
BBC Children in Need freelancers and contributors will be contracted via the BBC’s booking platform.
Your contract will be with BBC Children in Need. However, because we use a BBC platform, BBC policies and processes will apply to your booking and the BBC will also facilitate payments to you on our behalf.
Key information and FAQ’s can be found on the BBC Freelance website here including:
- How to accept a booking;
- What information is needed;
- How to sign-up and access systems; and
- How to claim and receive payments for yourself or when representing a freelancer, contributor or artist.
You can also find a summary of the end-to-end process here.
All of the information, terms, policies and guidance on the BBC Freelance website applies to your booking unless we have stated otherwise on this page or if your BBC Children in Need contact tells you otherwise so please read this page carefully. For that reason, references on the BBC Freelance website include references to “BBC Children in Need” as appropriate. If you are unclear if any particular information, terms, policies or guidance applies to your bokoing, please speak to your Children in Need contact.
What terms will I be contracted on?
A contract will be issued on each occasion that you are booked to work with BBC Children in Need.
You can find information on how you are contracted here. However, you will be contracted on the relevant BBC Children in Need specific Terms and Conditions / Special Terms as appropriate.
You can view and download the Terms and Conditions applicable to your engagement below.
Policies and Guidelines
BBC policies and guidelines will apply to your booking as set out here. However, for BBC Children in Need bookings, the BBC Children in Need Ethical Policy and Safeguarding Policies will apply either instead of, or in addition, to the BBC policies depending on your activity. Your BBC Children in Need contact will make this clear to you as part of your booking.
How do I accept the booking and how will payments be made?
The Freelance Payment Portal (FPP) (FPP) is the online system that freelancers and agents use to view and accept their bookings for BBC Children in Need.
For more information about registering and navigating the FPP, please click here.
- If you have not received an invitation or registration email for the FPP please log a ticket with our support service desk.
- If you are VAT registered you will need to enter your VAT registration numberon the FPP and select the appropriate boxes here before submitting your claim. This ensures the VAT is added to your payment before submission.
- If you are an agent representing a contributor please follow the How to guide for agents here
- If you are a contributor not represented by an agent please follow the how to guide here.
- If you have already registered for the FPP you access it here.
- For information on how to claim expenses, see here.
- To claim expenses for BBC Children in Need bookings, please see below. The FPP and BBC Expenses Policy to not apply for bookings with BBC Children in Need.
Expenses
Over the course of your engagement, you may incur expenses, such as mileage, meals or travel tickets, additional to the fee. Freelancer expenses can be claimed where they have been agreed by your booker in addition to your fee.
Expenses will be paid in line with BBC Children in Need’s Expense Policy found below.
Payments for expenses, disbursements and UK advances won’t be paid through the Freelance Payment Portal.
To submit an expense claim, complete the expense claim form found below. Please return the completed expense claim form, attaching evidence of spend and send to [email protected] for processing.
Where do I go if I have any queries?
A lot of information and answers to queries can be found on the BBC Freelance website here .
If your query is about the contracting process, platform, pay or access issues – you can contact the BBC’s Extended Workforce team via the Contact Us Hub.
If your query is about expenses, please email [email protected]
Alternatively, please speak to your BBC Children in Need contact or booker.
