Information about Child chaperones for performance/events
What is a licensed chaperone?
A chaperone is a person aged over 18 years who is licensed/approved under Regulation 15 of The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 to have care and control of a child and to safeguard, support and promote the wellbeing of the child while they are taking part in a performance, rehearsal, activity or living away from home.
Who needs a chaperone?
Any child taking part in a performance must be supervised at all times by chaperone.
Who can accompany a child as a chaperone?
A child must be accompanied an local authority licensed/approved chaperone, their parent/carer who has parental responsibility for the child, or the teacher who would usually provide the child's education.
Can a child be chaperoned by their parent or carer?
Yes, if they have parental responsibility (PR). If they do not have PR they will need to apply for a chaperone licence to the local authority where they live.
Can a child be chaperoned by their grandparents or extended family members?
A child can only be chaperoned by an person approved by the local authority where they live. For a grandparent, aunt/uncle, step parent or other family member who does not have parental responsibility (PR), they would need to apply to the local authority where they live to apply for chaperone licence.
How many children can a chaperone look after?
Under Regulation 15(3) the maximum number of children a chaperone can look after at any one time is 12. However, this will depend on the type of production, age and needs of the children being cared for, layout of the venue/location as well as other factors.
Who issues licences to chaperones?
The local authority where the person applying for a chaperone licence lives.
Does a chaperone need to undergo training as part of their approval?
Yes, Protecting children in entertainment training for chaperones | NSPCC Learning
Do applicants need to be interviewed to obtain a chaperone licence?
Yes, in Newham an interview with local authority officers is as part of the application process.
Does a chaperone need a Disclosure Barring Service check?
Yes, all chaperones must have an up to date Enhanced check for child workforce.
What is an Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check?
Local authorities will check the criminal record of someone applying to be a chaperone. This is known as getting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Types of check
- Basic check - shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
- Standard check - shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions
- Enhanced check - shows the same as a standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.
- Enhanced check with barred lists - shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role
Do applicants need to pay for a chaperone licence?
Yes, there is a fee for a chaperone licence - this is to cover the cost of administration and the relevant DBS charges.
Professional Chaperone Applicants
- who require an Enhanced DBS check to be undertaken (new or renewal)
£99.50 (£49.50 Enhanced DBS charge plus a £50 contribution to the admin. fee)
- who are subscribed to the DBS Update Service (annual charge £16 – free for volunteers)
£40.00 (contribution to the admin. fee)
Volunteer Chaperone Applicants
- who require an enhanced DBS check to be undertaken = £25.00 (50% of the contribution to admin. fee for professional chaperones)
- who are subscribed to the DBS Update Service (annual charge £16 – free for volunteers) = £20.00 (50% of the contribution to admin. fee for professional chaperones)
These prices are liable for change and with the DBS charges being determined externally
DBS (except the DBS Update Service) and licence admin. fees are payable by bank transfer.
