A child taking part in a performance will require chaperoning. A performance can include TV or filming, theatre, sporting activities or modelling.
For more information telephone Mary Mayfield on 01724 297139 or Sandra Watkins on 01724 297235. Email mary.mayfield@northlincs.gov.uk or sandra.watkins@northlincs.gov.uk.
"Chaperones act in 'loco parentis' and should exercise the care which a good parent might be reasonably expected to give that child"
Applications for a chaperone licence must be made to the council in the area where the prospective chaperone lives. Due to various checks, which have to be made, the time between the council receiving an application and the issuing of the licence may take a while. Please allow for this. Chaperones must be over 18 years old.
Responsibilities of a chaperone
- A chaperone's first priority is always to the child.
- A chaperone is the key person to whom the child looks to for guidance, protection, clarification and support.
- A great strength of a chaperone is their ability to negotiate with a production company 'on site'. They are able to say no when what is being requested of the child is contrary or detrimental to the child's health, well being or education. For example, requesting a child to stay at a place of performance over and above the hours or times laid down in either the child's licence or the regulations, lack of education time, and so forth.
- At no time should a child perform if unwell.
- Chaperones should keep a note of important contacts. For example, their licensing authority, the child's licensing authority, the local council in whose area the child is performing, the child's agent and the child's parent/legal guardian.
- The maximum number of children chaperones are allowed to have in their care at any one time is 12. But, in a lot of instances this will be too many (diverse mixture of ages requires more concentrated supervision etc). We recommend eight children to be the maximum in many cases.
- The child should not perform if a licence has not been granted. This is unless they fall within the exemption period.
- Chaperones should not presume that a child is licensed. Always ask to see a child's licence when arriving at a place of performance.
- If the production company cannot prove that a child is licensed, chaperones should contact the child's council urgently, otherwise a contravention may have occurred.
- Production companies are required to log certain activities during a performance. This includes the arrival and departure times at the place of the performance etc.
Other useful information