The role of a chaperone
A child performing, rehearsing for a performance during the performance period, taking part in an activity, or staying in accommodation in order to take part in a performance or an activity under a licence must be supervised at all times.
This includes children taking part in a performance or activity, or whilst at accommodation under supervision by a chaperone, unless they are under the direct supervision of either their parent or a teacher from their school or their home tutor.
Chaperones must be approved by the local authority that has granted the relevant licence to the child as part of the application process as being suitable to exercise care and control of the child in question.
A licensing authority must approve a person to be a chaperone to:
- have care and control of the child
- safeguard, support and promote the wellbeing of the child whilst the child is taking part in an activity, performance or rehearsal or whilst the child is living elsewhere than the place the child would otherwise live during the period to which the licence applies
Registered chaperones are of great benefit to production companies, helping them to ensure they do not inadvertently contravene the regulations. Experience has shown that parents can be ‘star struck’ and fail to adequately supervise their child as they are unaware of the requirements of the regulations.
A chaperones first priority is always to the child and they are the key person whom the child/young person looks to for:
- guidance
- protection
- support
- clarification
One of a chaperones greatest strengths is the ability to negotiate with the production company on site and to be able to say ‘no’ when what is requested is contrary or detrimental to the child’s health/well-being/education.
The maximum number of children a chaperone is allowed to have in their care at any one time is 12, however in many circumstances this is too high a ratio. Therefore, the issuing local authority may insist on a smaller ratio of children per chaperone or that two chaperones are required in order to split the number of male/female children and/or age groups.
A child must not perform if a licence has not been granted unless they are exempt from needing a licence. The chaperone ensures that the conditions attached to the licence are adhered to.
How to apply to be a chaperone
Fill in the application form.
What chaperones must do
Chaperones must:
- check the child is comfortable – you are the person to whom the child looks to guidance , protection, clarification and advice
- stand up for the child above production pressures – one of a chaperone's greatest strengths is their ability to negotiate with the production company 'on site' and be able to say no when what is being requested of the child is contrary or detrimental to the child's health, well-being and/or education.
- be the child's champion
- report any concerns and know wo to report them to and know what to do in each case – chaperones should keep a note of important contacts eg the child's licensing authority, the local authority in whose area the child is performing, the child's agent and the child's parent/legal guardian
- always ask to see a copy of the licence – this contains the restrictions that you must ensure are followed
- exercise discretion (only when regulation allows) where that is in the best interests of the child
- be alert to all possible risks to the child
- challenge people, behaviours, what is being said etc that may be inappropriate for the individual child
What chaperones must not do
Chaperones must not:
- let the child perform if they are unwell
- leave the child alone with another adult (unless it's their parent or teacher)
- ignore or down play questionable behaviour from adults or other children
- allow the child to be pushed into things that they don’t want to do
- take photos of the child
- seek autographs from performers or become star struck
- use inappropriate language or smoke whilst on duty
- consume alcohol or be under the influence of alcohol whilst on duty
- wear inappropriate clothing