Chaperone licence
Who needs a chaperone licence?
It is a legal requirement that children of compulsory school age who are taking part in performances must be supervised at all times, regardless of whether a performance licence is required. A performance includes things such as TV, filming, theatre, sporting activities or modelling.
Only a parent or legal guardian can chaperone their own child without a Chaperone Licence. Childminders, grandparents or any other family members are not legal guardians unless they are recognised as such by the courts and therefore need to be approved in order to chaperone a child. The chaperone must be approved by the licensing authority, unless under the direct supervision of their parent, or person who has parental responsibility for the child.
When applying for a chaperone licence, several checks associated with becoming a chaperone are made by the Education Welfare Service before the licence can be issued therefore we cannot guarantee a clear timescale for issuing chaperone licences. As a rough guide, applications should be made at least 12 weeks before the date it is needed.
The Local Authority must not approve a chaperone unless it is satisfied that he/she is both suitable and competent to discharge their duty i.e. to exercise proper care and control of a child of the age and sex of the child in question and that he/she will not be prevented from carrying out his/her duties towards the child by other activities or duties towards the child.
Who can apply?
Any adult over 18 years old can apply to become a licensed chaperone if they meet with the following criteria for approval:
- Completion of a chaperone application form
- Two references –one of whom should have known the applicant in a professional capacity and not solely through the organisation for which they wish to become a chaperone. Please note referees should have known you for at least 2 years (not family/partner/partners family)
- Submission of one passport sized photograph
- Submission of a relevant DBS certificate: a Child Workforce Enhanced DBS certificate issued within three months of the date the chaperone application was received, is registered with the DBS online service.
If your DBS does not satisfy the above criteria then you will be required to apply for a volunteer chaperone DBS.
Should you wish to apply for a Volunteer Chaperone DBS please tick the relevant box on the application form and a request will be forwarded to our HR department who will post a DBS application form to you. A DBS certificate can take up to 6 weeks to be issued.
Professionals working with children as part of their day to day job, regardless if in a voluntary capacity (dance teachers, drama teachers, theatre or production companies’ staff and others) and professional chaperones that don’t already have a current child workforce Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) registered with the DBS update service will have to provide their own DBS certificate.
The Chaperone Licence is free of charge for volunteers and lasts for 3 years.
Complete your Chaperone licence application.
Contact details
Education Welfare Service, Civic Offices, Knoll Street, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 8LN
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01472 326291 option 1
Opening times: Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm, except bank holidays