Chaperoning children who are working in entertainment

What is a chaperone?

A chaperone, also known as a matron, is someone who is licensed by a local authority to look after children who are working in entertainment. They make certain that the child does not work too many hours without proper breaks, that education is provided in certain circumstances and that the children's safety, comfort and welfare are always taken care of.

A chaperone can supervise a maximum of 12 children at a time, who must all be of the same sex. The chaperone is responsible for the child at all times except when she/he is rehearsing, performing or with a parent or carer.

When is a chaperone needed?

School-age children, up to and including Year 11, who are taking part in or rehearsing for a public performance must by law be accompanied by a registered chaperone, if the child cannot be accompanied by their parents or carer.

These performances include any television, theatre, film or amateur performance as well as sporting activities or modelling.

Children involved in any performance, whether it is a village hall pantomime or a long running broadcast performance, will always need to be accompanied by a registered chaperone. Similarly, if the performance runs longer than three days the child will need a child performance licence.

What are the 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.
• One of a chaperone's greatest strengths is their ability to negotiate with the production company on site and be able to say no when what is being requested of the child is contrary or detrimental to either the child's health, well-being or education. For example, asking 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 would not be acceptable.
• At no time should a child perform if unwell.
• Chaperones should keep a note of important contacts, such as their licensing authority, the child's licensing authority, the Children's Services Authority in whose area the child is performing, the child's agent and the child's parent or guardian.
• The maximum number of children chaperones are allowed to have in their care at any one time is 12. But this may be too many if there is a range of different ages. We recommend eight children as a maximum in most cases.
• The child should not perform if a licence has not been granted, unless the performance is a one-off amateur production, of less than three days.
• Chaperones should not presume that a child is licensed. Always ask to see a child's licence when they arrive at a place of performance.
• If the production company cannot prove that a child is licensed chaperones should contact the child's Children's Services Authority urgently.
• Production companies must log certain activities during a performance such as arrival and departure times at the place of the performance.

How do I register to become a chaperone?

See our page on how to apply to become a registered chaperone.