If you are thinking about chaperoning a child performer in England, the first question is usually the same: how do I actually become approved? This guide walks through the process step by step. It covers England, and it is general information, not legal advice. Approval rules can differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so always check the area that covers the child.
Who approves a chaperone?
In England, a chaperone is approved by a local council rather than by a national body. The GOV.UK guidance explains that where an event needs a child performance licence, the chaperone must be approved by the child’s local council. That means the council covering the area where the child lives is the one that decides whether you are approved for that child.
Apply well ahead of time
GOV.UK advises applying at least three months before the performance. That sounds like a long lead time, but it makes sense. Councils run different checks, and steps such as a DBS check can take weeks. Starting early protects everyone, including the child, because there is time to sort out any questions before the working day begins.
What the role involves
An approved chaperone has care and control of the child. In law, that means safeguarding, supporting and promoting the child’s wellbeing while the child is taking part in the activity, performance or rehearsal covered by the licence, or on an associated stay away from home. This wording comes from regulation 15 of the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014.
There are legal limits set out in the same regulation. At any one time a chaperone may care for up to 12 children, or three children if the chaperone is also their private teacher. These are maximums, not recommended targets, and many councils set a lower number in practice. So ask your own council what applies to you rather than assuming 12 is a safe default.
The supervision limit
The rule on approved chaperones does not apply where a parent, or the teacher who ordinarily provides the child’s education, is caring for the child during the performance. So an approved chaperone is not always required in every child performance. The licensing route and the exact arrangements depend on the production, the child and the relevant local authority.
What does a council check?
Before approving you, the licensing authority must be satisfied that you are suitable and competent to take proper care and control of a child, and that your other duties will not stop you caring for the child properly. That test comes from regulation 15. How each council checks you can differ from area to area.
For example, Ealing Council tells prospective chaperones to apply for an enhanced DBS check and to complete online training modules on data protection, health and safety, and safeguarding children before approval. This is one council’s local process, and it may not match your area. Always ask your own council exactly what they need.
A DBS check is not the same as approval
It is worth saying this clearly. A DBS check alone does not make someone an approved chaperone. It is useful evidence of suitability, but approval is a formal decision made by the council. If you are offered a chaperone role and you only have a DBS certificate, that does not mean you are approved. Confirm that your name is on the approved list before the performance day.
The licence holder and injury or illness
There is one duty that often sits in the wrong place in someone’s mind. If a child in a chaperone’s care is injured or becomes ill, the law puts the duty to notify the parent and the licensing and host authorities on the licence holder, under regulation 15. A chaperone still needs to make sure the licence holder knows as soon as possible and that the right people are told. But the formal notification responsibility sits with the licence holder, not with the chaperone alone.
A simple example
Say a local theatre needs a chaperone for a short run next month. You contact the council covering the child’s home area and ask what they need for approval. You allow plenty of lead time for any checks. Before the first rehearsal you get written confirmation that you are approved for that activity. On the day, you make sure a child knows where to find you, you stay alert to their wellbeing, and you raise any injury, illness or concern with the licence holder without delay. That is the job, and it is a valuable one.
Where to check the current rules
The best starting point is the GOV.UK page on becoming a licensed chaperone for child performers, and regulation 15 of the 2014 regulations, where the exact legal wording lives. The Department for Education also publishes departmental advice on child performance and activities, which explains the framework in plain English. That advice has no statutory force, so read it alongside the legislation itself, and remember it is England-specific.
Further useful reading
If you are new to this world, our guide to education for a child performer in England explains how education and tutoring fit into a licensed working day. Our clear signposting page sets out where we stand on official sources. And if you want to think about support, our why join Chaperone Collective page explains the community side, which is separate from council approval.
Take your time, check the official sources for your local area, and ask your local authority if you are ever unsure.