Use this page to learn about working as, or apply to register as, a chaperone to a child who is working in a television, film or stage performance, as a paid sportsperson, or as a model.
If you're a parent, wishing to chaperone your own child
Unless you wish to register as a chaperone, you can only care for your own child or children. You may find the information on this page useful, in addition to our guide below.
Select any topic below to find out more about becoming a registered chaperone.
Chaperones, also known as matrons, must accompany any child under school-leaving age who is working in a performance. As a chaperone, you are responsible for ensuring the child's welfare during their employment as a performer. You will act in loco parentis (meaning that you exercise the care which a good parent might be reasonably expected to give that child), and the child will be in your care at all times that they are not with a parent or tutor.
As a chaperone, you are employed by the person or company who is producing the performance, but your first priority should be to the child. You become the key person that the child looks to for guidance, protection, clarification and support. This covers any aspect of the child's role and conditions of employment. For example, you may need to negotiate with the production company to make sure that they don't make demands which could harm the child's health, wellbeing, or ability to continue their education while working.
Before considering work as a chaperone, you should familiarise yourself with the standards of care that you must provide, and the role that production companies and local authorities play in ensuring the welfare of children in performances.
The following regulations and restrictions apply to the chaperone role:
- Age of child: Chaperones are necessary for any child from birth until the end of compulsory school age. This means until the last Friday in June of the year the child becomes 16.
- Registration: All chaperones need approval from the Local Authority (LA) where the child lives; for B&NES, this means the Attendance and Welfare Support Service (AWSS). This applies, whether or not the performance work is in the same LA area.
- Working ratios: The LA can determine the number of children that approved chaperones are allowed to have in their care at any one time, up to a maximum of 12. LAs may choose to set the maximum number lower, to accommodate split care of boys and girls, or children with large age differences.
- Performance licence: The chaperone is responsible for ensuring that working conditions (such as hours, breaks, working locations, safety measures and equipment) comply at all times with the child's performance licence.
- Check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS): We require anyone working with children to have a DBS check before we can approve your employment. We have to make the DBS check request, and we cannot use documents from a previous check. Because this is a role working with children, you will have to declare any criminal convictions, including any which are already 'spent'.
- The law: Chaperones must work within regulations set down in the following legislation:
View our complete Chaperone and licence holder regulations and guide booklet
We recommend keeping a copy of this guide at hand for the duration of your employment as a chaperone.
You should allow 3 months to complete the registration process, before you can start work as a chaperone.
You'll need to have the following items ready before you apply:
- Identity documents: You'll need to prove your identity through documents such as a passport or driving licence, and supply one recent passport-style photograph (either email us a JPEG file, or send us a photograph).
- DBS: You may have to pay an administration fee for your DBS check, and this process can take up to six weeks. We cannot approve your registration until the DBS process is complete.
- Childcare and first aid training: You'll need to provide evidence of these skills and knowledge when you apply.
- Insurance: If you'll be driving children at any point during your employment, you'll need motor insurance that covers this.
- References: Please supply details of two people, including at least one person who is working in a child-centred profession, whom we can contact.
All applicants must complete our application form for approval as a chaperone
By email
Complete the application form (MS Word) and email it to us at AWSS@bathnes.gov.uk
By post
Print and complete the application form (MS Word), and send it to us at:
- Attendance and Welfare Support Service
- Bath & North East Somerset Council
- Lewis House
- Manvers Street
- Bath BA1 1JG
When we get your application
We interview all suitable applicants, and will discuss the role of a chaperone in relation to the Children's Performance regulations. If we grant approval, we will provide information to explain legislation in relation to children in entertainment and the role of the chaperone.
Email us at AWSS@bathnes.gov.uk or call us during business hours on 01225 394241