Duties of a chaperone
Your first duty while acting as a chaperone is to the child in your care. You must not undertake any other duty relating to the production, for example technical work, direction or taking part.
You are legally responsible for the child, except when they are in the care of their parent or a teacher responsible for providing their main education. You should exercise that care which a good parent would reasonably expect to give the child.
Legislation sets out the maximum number of hours a child can attend a performance or rehearsal according to their age. If the child is working in a theatre, for example, you must know the times when the child should attend or be on stage. These times must come within what the licence permits.
When the child is not performing, you must ensure they are properly supervised. You must make sure they have adequate meals, rest and recreation.
You must ensure that no child in your care is discriminated against on grounds of:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment and gender identity
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
You should not let any child perform when unwell. If a child falls ill or gets injured when in your care, you should call a doctor. The licence holder should immediately notify the child’s parent and us.
Do not hand any child over or let another person examine them. The only exceptions to this are:
- with prior approval of the child’s parent
- in an emergency
- under the supervision of a doctor, police or other suitable persons
We carry out regular inspections, without prior notice, at venues and locations within Lincolnshire. We will ensure that licence conditions are met and children are protected.
If we believe that you are not performing your duties, we may withdraw your licence.
This position involves considerable contact with children. We will carry out personal checks, including police checks.
Find out more about the law regarding chaperones.
DBS certificates
Existing DBS certificates
If you already have a DBS certificate, you may not need to apply for a new one if:
- it is an Enhanced Child Workforce with Children’s Barred list checked and it is registered with the DBS online service or issued within three months of the date we receive your chaperone application
- you are employed by LCC or a LCC maintained school and can demonstrate continuous service since it was issued
New DBS certificates
If you do not have a DBS as outlined above, we will ask you to complete an application for a new check as part of your application for a chaperone licence.
DBS checks will be charged as follows:
- £5 for volunteer applications
- £90 for professional applications
If you need a new DBS application, you must provide us with evidence of your identity. Your certificate is posted to your home address and you must send it to us.
If you do not provide a copy of your DBS within one month of receiving your certificate, we will cancel your application.
How to apply
A parent, carer or registered chaperone must supervise any child taking part in a performance.
Anyone over 18 years old and residing in Lincolnshire can apply to become a licensed chaperone.
A base fee of £15 will be applied to all chaperone licence applications, including both volunteer and professional licences.
Make sure you check which local authority you are by using the postcode check below as the fee is non-refundable. Residents of North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire must apply to their respective local authorities.
To apply for a chaperone licence, you will need to:
- pay the fee
- complete the application form
- submit two references known to you for at least 2 years, one of which knows you professionally
- submit one passport-style photograph (suitable for display on your chaperone licence ID card)
- complete mandatory chaperone online training
- attend an appointment at a local office for your identity documents to be verified
- undertake a child workforce enhanced DBS check (if not submitting your own DBS)
A chaperone licence lasts for three years.
We cannot guarantee a timescale for issuing a chaperone licence.
Due to updated guidance from the Disclosure & Barring Service, identity documents can no longer be certified via a meeting on Microsoft Teams.
You should apply at least 12 weeks prior to the date of the first performance to allow time for the DBS check to be completed.