Chaperone licence

All children taking part in a licensed performance must be supervised by a registered chaperone or their parent/guardian.

A chaperone can look after up to 12 children at one time and should give the same care a parent would give.

• What is the chaperone responsible for?
• Apply for a chaperone licence
• Accepted documents
• Licence cost
• After submitting your application
• Once approved
• Changing your address details

They are responsible for:

• ensuring the child has enough breaks and meals
• taking action if the child is ill, upset or tired
• considering health and safety issues
• safeguarding issues
• adhering to legislation relating to child performance
• assisting costume changes, dressing and fitting microphones
• escorting children at all times, including to the toilet

You can apply online for a chaperone licence.

When applying, you will be required to provide full and accurate contact details for 2 referees who meet all of the following criteria:

• they have known you for longer than 2 years
• they are not related to you
• they are not involved with the organisation you require the license for

You will also be required to upload the documents for your DBS verification.

As part of the application form, you’ll be asked to upload 4 documents in total. One must include your current address and a photograph of yourself (passport style).

You’ll need to upload:

• a current valid passport
• a UK biometric residence permit
• a current UK driving licence photocard (full or provisional)
• a birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth
• an adoption certificate.

You’ll also need to upload 2 documents from this list (if you upload a passport from the first list, you can’t choose it as one of your documents from this list):

• a current valid passport
• a biometric residence permit
• a current UK driving licence (full or provisional)
• a birth certificate
• an adoption certificate
• a marriage or civil partnership certificate
• mortgage statement (issued in the last 12 months)
• bank or building society statement (issued in the last 3 months)
• Council Tax statement (issued in the last 12 months)
• utility bill (issued in the last 3 months)
• benefit statement (issued in the last 3 months).

The fee for a chaperone licence is £35 – you will need to pay this when applying.

If you’re applying for a professional chaperone licence (being paid to undertake the role) you will need to pay an additional £45. This is to cover the DBS cost as well as the chaperone license fee. We must receive the payment before we will issue the licence.

ID verification process

You will be required to verify your identity in person at the Civic Offices. An email will be sent to you with a time and date for your ID check.

You will need to present with your ID and the correct documents at the agreed location and time. If you are not registered with the DBS update service, a new DBS will be required. This link will be emailed to you after your ID check for you to complete your details.

References

We will need 2 references. Please ensure you provide accurate contact details for your referees and ask them to respond promptly when they receive the reference form.

You will be invited to attend an online meeting to complete your application process.

This meeting should last about 15 minutes and cover you references, DBS clearance, safeguarding, roles and responsibilities of being a chaperone.

A chaperone information pack is also available to support your learning of the chaperone role, and as a future reference tool once you are issued with a licence.

Your licence will last for 2 years from the date of issue. It is your responsibility to reapply after your licence expires at the end of the 2-year period.

If you have changed address or lost your license, we will need to send you a replacement card. The updated card costs £15.

To change your address and for details on how to pay, email childemployment@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

For any further information or queries, you can call on 02392 841 419, or email childemployment@portsmouthcc.gov.uk