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Chaperone licence

Chaperone licence

All children taking part in a licensed performance must be supervised by a registered chaperone or their parent/guardian.

Brent's Education Welfare Service can approve adults resident in Brent to act as chaperones. The application process involves completing an application form and obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The DBS check must be renewed every three years. We also take up references and invites candidates for interview to ensure that they are suitable to act as chaperones.

They are responsible for:

  • Ensuring the child has enough breaks and meals.
  • Taking action if the child is ill, upset or tired.
  • Considering health and safety issues.
  • Safeguarding issues.
  • Adhering to legislation relating to child performance.
  • Assisting costume changes, dressing and fitting microphones.
  • Escorting children at all times, including to the toilet.

Chaperone training

Chaperone applicants are required to attend the two NSPCC Training courses:

Apply for a chaperone licence

All applicants must obtain a DBS check. Please complete and return Chaperone Licence form, with passport‐size photograph.

Notes

Chaperones have a duty to represent the child's interests and to help ensure that the law and licence conditions relating to the child's participation are complied with. 

A chaperone's first priority is always to the child’s best interest and wellbeing. Chaperones must have knowledge of the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 and the associated DfE guidance on child performances.

All employers must continue with the other usual recruitment practices before the appointment of employees.

Roles and responsibilities for parent chaperones

The information in this guide is designed to provide a guide on expectations to parents who chaperone their children during entertainment performances, where the parent is not a licensed chaperone.

  • The parent or legal guardian can chaperone only their own child, unless the parent/guardian is himself or herself a licensed chaperone.
  • Parent’s sole responsibility is to their child. The parent should be with or in sight of their child at all times, whether on set/stage, dressing rooms, during meals & breaks, unless the child is under the supervision of a licensed chaperone.
  • Daily Record Sheets should be completed for all children – this responsibility will often be delegated to parents.
  • There are regulated hours & breaks required for children by law. Parents should ensure that these are complied with.
  • Parents should ensure that the production team take them through an induction – fire exits, meeting points, first aider, etc.
  • For outdoor performances, ensure children wear appropriate clothing and/or protection.
  • There should be separate toilets assigned for children – where possible, these should be separate for boys & girls.
  • There should be separate gendered dressing rooms for all children aged over 5 years.
  • No child may take part in dangerous performances. The production team should always have a Risk Assessment in place. From a safeguarding perspective, please report any concerns to your child’s licensing officer.
  • No child should perform if unwell, either through illness or through an injury. As a parent, you must ensure your child does not perform under these circumstances.
  • Where parents are not satisfied with the conditions for the children at a place of performance, insist they are put right.
  • Where a performance on a school day is cancelled, the child would be expected to attend school as normal and the local authority should be informed.

Performing should be an enjoyable experience for the child and for the parent.

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