Apply for a Chaperone Licence
*The Application process is under review, but will be updated shortly.
What is a Chaperone?
- Chaperones are responsible for safeguarding, supporting and promoting the wellbeing of children who take part in performances.
- Chaperones act in “loco parentis” (in place of a parent) when taking responsibility for the children in their care.
Chaperones cannot undertake any additional roles whilst performing their duties as a chaperone; their priority is ensuring the welfare of the child(ren) in their care.
Chaperone Licences
There are two types of Chaperone Licence issued:
- A licence for Voluntary Chaperones and
- A licence for Professional (paid) Chaperones.
Our registered Chaperones are assigned a unique licence number, which identifies their designation as either a Professional Chaperone (CHP) or a Voluntary Chaperone (CHV). You cannot undertake work as a Professional (paid) Chaperone using a Voluntary Chaperone licence. The DBS definition of a volunteer is defined in the Police Act 1997 (criminal records) Regulations 2002 as:
“Any person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party and not a close relative.”
Who can apply?
You can apply to the London Borough of Newham to become a registered chaperone if you are a resident within the Borough and are aged 18 or over.
The Local Authority has a responsibility to ensure that applicants are suitable and competent to exercise proper care and control of the children for whom they assume responsibility. To comply with this,
All chaperones are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check that is inclusive of a check of the barred list for children.
The application process time varies on a case-by-case basis and is dependent on verification checks. DBS checks alone can take between 2 and 6 weeks. We do not currently offer an express service for applications.
Making an application
- Complete the Chaperone application form (Word)
- Enrol and complete the Protecting Children in Entertainment e-learning provided by the NSPCC (there is a separate cost for this).
- Submit your completed application form along with details of 2 referees whom you have known for at least 2 years (one must be in a professional capacity), a passport style photograph and a copy of the NSPCC training certificate to childlicences@newham.gov.uk
- You will then be contacted to arrange for DBS checks to be carried out via HR*.
- Following receipt of your DBS / verification via the update service, your referees will be contacted.
- Once our verification checks are completed, you will be invited to attend a meeting with a CME monitoring and enforcement officer to verify documentation and for an informal interview to discuss the role in further detail.
- A decision to issue a licence will then be made. The licence will then be issued – subject to payment of the licensing fees set out in more detail below.
*If you hold an enhanced DBS certificate (child workforce only) and subscribe to the DBS update service, we will require a copy of your Disclosure and your written consent to undertake a status check with the DBS Update Service. A new DBS is required if the current certificate is not detailed as child workforce or does not include the required checks.
Licence Fee
There are two tiers of licensing fee for the issuing of a Chaperone Licence, which are payable by cheque or postal order made payable to The London Borough of Newham:
Tier 1 - £92.98 - Professional Chaperone Applicants who require an enhanced DBS check to be undertaken.
Tier 2 £52.98 - Voluntary Chaperone Applicants / Professional Chaperone Applicants with their own DBS. **
**This includes those subscribed to the update service.
Licence Validity
Licences are valid for three years from the issue date upon the licence. Applicants who wish to renew their licence are encouraged to contact the CME monitoring and enforcement team at least one month ahead of expiry to prevent licence expiry. Renewals submitted after the expiry date will require a full application to be made. If there are any changes to your circumstances within the lifetime of the licence that may affect your status as a chaperone, you are required to inform the CME monitoring and enforcement officer, as detailed on the reverse of the licence.
