Skills you'll need to become a chaperone

A chaperone's first responsibility is to the child in their care. The child will look to them for guidance, protection, clarification, and support.

If you become a chaperone, you'll need to have an awareness/understanding of:

• safeguarding requirements as described by Barnsley Safeguarding Children Partnership
• the child's age and experience, concentration span, and exposure to adult conversation and expectations. This is because they'll often be working in an adult environment
• health and safety issues on stage and on set, such as evacuation procedures in case of emergencies like fire, and emergency first aid treatment
• the need to take action when a child is tired, ill or upset
• signs and symptoms of intimidation and bullying
• the need for proof of the hours and times laid down in the child’s licence
• the need for negotiation with the production company on the child's behalf about health education and hours
• performance licences and supervision for children

What chaperones are responsible for

The law states that anyone who takes on the role of a chaperone is acting in loco parentis and should exercise the care that a good parent might reasonably be expected to give that child. 

Read about the responsibilities of a chaperone for full details.

Who can apply

Anyone who's 18 or over and lives in Barnsley can apply to become a chaperone.

How to apply

Fill in the chaperone application form and email it to: admin-educationwelfareservice@barnsley.gov.uk

Pease note, we don't accept applications sent by post.

Please provide a copy of any child protection training you've completed within the last three years. If you haven't completed any child protection training you'll need to complete the Barnsley Safeguarding Children Partnership's learning course.

You'll need to provide two personal referees. One who is able to evidence your successful working with children in either a professional or a voluntary capacity. Then another one who has known you in a personal capacity for over two years – excluding family members.

You'll attend a brief, informal interview around the roles and responsibilities of a chaperone and your knowledge of children in entertainment procedures.

We'll also ask your permission to complete a disclosure application and ask to see valid identity documents. You can use the chaperone DBS checklist to make sure you have everything you need to apply. The documents will be verified at interview and then submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Please make sure you allow 12 weeks for us to process your application and issue your licence. We can't guarantee that licences will be issued sooner than the 12 week period, as the DBS system is managed outside of our service.

Any applications received after 3.30pm will be acknowledged the next working day.

How much it costs for a chaperone licence

There's a charge for a volunteer chaperone licence of £9.95.

The licence to become a professional chaperone costs £44.40.

Once you're approved as a chaperone

If you're approved as a chaperone your licence will be valid for three years; you must apply for a renewal at least 8 weeks before it's expiry date. Any approval is granted subject to certain conditions; any breach of these conditions could lead to the approval being withdrawn.

Please keep your certificate of approval in a safe place. You need to take it with you every time you chaperone a child as you may be asked to produce it for inspection.

You need to notify us within seven days of:

• any change of address or name
• any arrest, offence or conviction
• any serious or notifiable illness or debility

Looking after children on tour

Where children are on tour and living away from home, as a chaperone you'll be responsible for them throughout the duration of the licence. You must take constant charge of the child and accompany them at all times.

In general, a chaperone needs to exercise a greater amount of supervision than if the child was living at home.

Your responsibilities for a child on tour include making sure that:

• lodgings are satisfactory, comfortable and clean. They've to be approved by the council in whose area they are. If for any reason the chaperone thinks them unsatisfactory they should insist on a change of accommodation.
• transport is arranged to and from the place of entertainment. No child should normally have more than three hours journey time.
• children are properly occupied in their spare time and get plenty of exercise.
• meal arrangements are suitable. Food should normally be provided at the lodgings.
• you sleep in the same accommodation as the child and close to where the children are sleeping.

Inspections

We can ask producers to give us access to the records of child performers.

Chaperones are often designated to keep these records in respect of the child. These will include the times that the child is at the place of the performance, when they perform and rehearse.  Also when they have their breaks and meals, and the waiting times in between performances.

If you're not sure about the legalities of what producers may be asking of the child, ask us for advice.

You need to tell us straight away if there is any contravention of the licence, or any incident that affects the child's wellbeing.