Performance licences for children

Chaperones for Children in the Entertainment Industry

Children involved in licensed performances or activities must always be accompanied by a local authority approved chaperone, or their parent/carer who has parental responsibility for them, or the teacher who would ordinarily provide the child's education.  Aunts, uncles, grandparents and childminders are not legal guardians (unless the courts have recognised them as such), so need to be approved in order to chaperone a child.

What is a Chaperone?

A chaperone is a person who is approved by the local authority under Regulation 15 of The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014. They are responsible for the safeguarding, care, control and wellbeing of a child during performances, rehearsals, activities, or when living away from home under a performance licence.

How to Become a Chaperone

To become a chaperone, Applicants must apply to the council where they live.  Any adult (aged 18 and over) living in Coventry may apply to Coventry City Council to be registered as an Approved Chaperone.  https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Professional Chaperone Licence – This is for those wishing to undertake paid work and will be charged at a fee of £64. The applicant’s employment having obtained the licence is entirely separate, and the licence holder is not accountable to the local authority with regard to their employment. They are only accountable to their respective employer.

Volunteer Chaperone Licence – This is for those undertaking duties on a voluntary basis only will be charged at a fee of £25.

https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/Chaperone_application

All applicants are required to complete the following:

• Completed Application form
• Application for a DBS check (unless you have a current enhanced DBS check for children only, registered with the update service)
• ID verification for DBS’s - Applicants are required to attend in person
• Attend an interview  - Applicants are required to attend in person
• Complete online Safeguarding training (a link will be provided on receipt on application)

For more information on the chaperone application process and how to apply, see the Chaperone process. Link or download

Any approval is subject to Coventry City Council being satisfied that  the Applicant would be able to exercise proper care and control of the child/children, and they will not be prevented from carrying out their duty as chaperone by other duties. Any breach of these conditions could lead to the approval being withdrawn.

The chaperone licence will be issued for 3 years. On expiry of the 3 years the Applicant will be required to renew the licence by repeating the process again if they wish to remain as a local authority licenced chaperone

Please note the time frame between the Licencing Authority receiving an application and approval being granted can take up to four months