Chaperones for children in entertainment

All children who require a performance licence must have a chaperone to supervise them while they are taking part in performances and ensure their health, safety and wellbeing.

The chaperone can be either the child’s parents, their legal guardian or an adult who has been approved by their local authority as a chaperone.

Relatives other than parents must get chaperone approval from the local authority area in which they (the relative) live before they can chaperone the child.

Chaperone responsibilities

A chaperone's first priority is always to the child. A chaperone is the key person to whom the child looks for guidance, protection, clarification and support.

Responsibilities include:

• checking the performance licence and telling the local authority if there are any concerns
• looking out for the child's wellbeing at all times
• making sure a child does not perform if they are unwell
• making sure the production company follows the terms of the licence and the rules set down by the legislation, and negotiating with the company or removing the child if they do not
• liaising with the production company to resolve any issues that might be harmful to the child's health, wellbeing or education
• removing the child if there are any serious child protection issues and contacting the police immediately
• keeping a note of important contacts, for example their licensing authority, 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

Apply for or renew for a chaperone licence

We can consider applications for chaperone approval for anyone who lives in Cheshire East and is over 18.

To renew a licence, you need to re-apply.

We need a minimum of 3 months to process the application and carry out relevant checks.

3 step approval process

Step 1 - send us your application

Apply for a chaperone approval

Step 2 - we will contact you

After completing and submitting the form we will contact you about your application.

Step 3 - attend our chaperone training

Chaperone training for new applicants

Due to unforeseen circumstances the chaperone training will not be conducted by our Entertainment and Employment Officer. Please complete the 1 hour online course at a cost of £25 with the NSPCC: Protecting children in entertainment training for chaperones | NSPCC Learning. Once completed please email your certificate to ChildEmploymentEast@cheshireeast.gov.uk we will try our utmost to process the chaperone licence for you.  Also, make sure you have an up-to-date DBS.

For renewals

Once we have received your renewal application form we will email a link and instructions of how to log on. The renewal chaperone training takes about 15 minutes.

More information on regulations and responsibilities

As a chaperone, it is important you understand child performance regulations. For a list of laws and regulations with useful guidance documents, see National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment - England performance legislation.

Contact Attendance and Children Out of School Service