Chaperones
Licence regulations stipulate either a parent of the child performing or named chaperone is present at any place of performance.
This is required to ensure that the child or young person is treated kindly; their health is not compromised and they remain safe. Havering Council has a statutory duty to approve any person resident within the Local Authority who wishes to be licensed as a chaperone.
Who can act as a chaperone?
Anyone wishing to act in the capacity of a chaperone, other than the child's parent, will require a licence. All chaperones must be licensed by the local authority in which they live and should be able to produce their licence if required to do so whenever they are working.
Chaperone's responsibilities
Although the production company will be responsible for ensuring facilities meet the legal requirement for children, it is important to remember that the chaperone's overall responsibility is to the welfare of the child, and not to the director/producer.
- A chaperone is expected to exercise the care a good parent might be reasonably expected to give.
- except while they are in charge of an approved tutor, children must be under the supervision of the chaperone all the time they are at the place of performance.
To ensure that all requirements are being met, a representative of the council may carry out an inspection of any production taking place in the borough whenever children are part of the production.
How to apply
A chaperone licence can take up to 8 weeks to process depending on whether you have a current enhanced DBS.
To become a registered chaperone to children in entertainment you will need to complete an online chaperone licence application.
Once you have submitted your application and have received a reference number, please email childemployment@havering.gov.uk (with your reference number as the subject title), with the following documents.
- A copy of your safeguarding course certificate.
- A headshot photograph of yourself (for use on the licence).
- If you are using an existing ‘Child Workforce’ Enhanced DBS, this must be attached to your online application. Please make sure the entire DBS is attached.
Following submission of this application you will be provided with details on how to obtain an online DBS disclosure.
If you already have a ‘Child Workforce’ Enhanced DBS you can provide a copy of this with your chaperone application and you will not be required to submit a new DBS application.
Chaperone/safeguarding training is mandatory for all Havering chaperones.
If you have recently undertaken safeguarding children training in the last year, you can attach your course certificate to your email. If you have not recently completed safeguarding training, you must complete the NSPCC ‘Protecting Children in Entertainment’ online course.
Fees
Havering do not charge for the licence itself, the only fees that you will be liable for are:
- Enhanced DBS Check. These costs now include a new Digital ID verification process. DBS Checks are processed on behalf of Havering by an independent company called CareCheck.
- Professional Licence (for paid Chaperones) - £53.85
- Volunteer Licence - £15.85
- NSPCC Safeguarding Course if you have not recently completed one.
- £25 approx
Your licence
You will receive your licence pending two satisfactory references; successful DBS and completion of the chaperone/safeguarding training.
Renewing your licence
Your licence will run until the expiry of your DBS. Renewal of your licence is subject to the above procedure being repeated.
For further information on child chaperone licences, please contact childemployment@havering.gov.uk