Chaperones (Matrons)
Children and young people of compulsory school age who take part
in entertainment and modelling are safeguarded by legislation which
aims to secure their health, proper treatment and education.
Section 37 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 and the
Children (Performances) Regulations 1968
This is achieved, in certain circumstances, by the legal
requirement for the person or company who wishes to engage the
child to apply for and obtain an Entertainment Licence from the
child’s Local Authority (Education) (L.A.) The L.A. may endorse the
licence with the requirement that the applicant must employ a
Chaperone (matron) and/or Tutor to look after, and/or teach the
child, during the term of the licence. It is the responsibility of
the applicant to find a suitable Chaperone and/or Tutor but in each
case the Chaperone and the Tutor must be approved by the child’s
L.A.
The Chaperone, who may be a man or a woman, is the key person
who protects and supports the child and is responsible for the
child’s welfare. He/she shall be in charge of the child at all
times, including when the child is filming, recording or on stage,
except while the child is in the charge of their parent or Tutor.
The Chaperone is acting in loco parentis and her/his first duty is
to the children in his/her care.
The Tutor
The child’s L.A. must ensure that the child’s education will not
suffer by reason of the child taking part in entertainment
Any Tutor employed to teach the child must be suitably qualified
to teach children of the age and standard in question. The maximum
number of children that may be taught by the Tutor at any one time
is twelve, if they are of the same standard, or, six, if they are
of different standards.
The amount of tuition the child must receive is given in the
Regulations. The schoolroom must be approved by the child’s
L.A.
Applying to become a Chaperone (Matron) or Tutor
If you are interested in becoming a Chaperone (Matron) or Tutor
it is essential that you read and understand the enclosed Matron’s
Information Pack and then download and complete the Matron’s
Application Form
In order to evaluate the applicant’s suitability to work with
children the application process includes:-
- obtaining references
- ascertaining the applicant’s physical wellbeing
- a check with the Criminal Record Bureau
- a check with Social Service records
- a check on teaching qualifications (if necessary).
A training workshop is provided for successful applicants.
The approval will be for a period of three years, after which
time a renewal application must be made.
Should the Chaperone or Tutor prove unsuitable the Licensing
Authority may withdraw their approval. A licence will only be
issued when the relevant clearence has been confirmed
Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
When you have completed the form, you will need to meet a member
of our Entertainment and Employment Team who will verify that you
have provided the documentation required to support your
application. They will contact you to arrange this
We require a minimum of one month in order to process forms and
carry out relevant checks; incomplete forms will be returned.
To apply for a Chaperone (Matron’s) Licence
General Advice for Prospective Chaperones (Matrons)
General Advice for Headteachers on Child Entertainment and
Employment
