Voluntary licensed chaperones

Information for chaperones

A child taking part in a performance—which can include TV or filming, theatre, sporting activities or modelling—will require chaperoning. Chaperones act in loco parentis and should exercise the care which a good parent might reasonably be expected to give that child.

Responsibilities of a chaperone

• A chaperone’s first priority is always the child.
• A chaperone is the key person to whom the child looks for guidance, protection, clarification and support.
• A chaperone must be able to negotiate with the production company on site and say no when a request is contrary or detrimental to a child’s health, wellbeing or education. This includes requests to remain at a place of performance beyond the hours allowed by the child’s licence or regulations, or a lack of required education time. Contact the Local Education Authority if you experience difficulties.
• At no time should a child perform if unwell.
• The maximum number of children a chaperone may have in their care at one time is 12, but this will often be too many. STAMP recommends a maximum of eight in many cases, particularly where a range of ages requires more concentrated supervision.
• STAMP must record certain activities during a performance, including arrival and departure times at the place of performance.

Duties of a chaperone

The current STAMP guidance cites the Children Performance Regulations 1968. A chaperone’s first duty is to the children in their care. While acting as a chaperone, they may not engage in any activity that would interfere with their duties.

Except when a child is in the care of a teacher, the chaperone is in loco parentis and should exercise the care which a good parent might reasonably be expected to give that child. Precise duties at the place of performance vary according to the nature of the performance.

In theatre, the times when a child is to be present and on stage are known in advance and must stay within the regulations. When the child is not performing—including between two performances on the same day if they remain at the venue—the chaperone must ensure that the child is properly supervised and has adequate meals, rest and recreation.

No child should perform when unwell. If a child falls ill or is injured while in the charge of a chaperone or teacher, a doctor should be called, and the licence holder must immediately notify the parent named in the application and the local authority.

Instructions to chaperones

• A chaperone may be a man or a woman and must be appropriately vetted by the Local Education Authority issuing the licence.
• The chaperone’s first duty is to the children in their care. They may not engage in another activity that would interfere with their duties.
• Except while a child is in the care of a teacher, the chaperone acts in loco parentis.
• If a child is unwell, a doctor must be sent for. The child must not perform and, where necessary, must be sent home under proper escort. Parents and the Local Authority should be informed immediately.
• The chaperone must ensure the known arrival, stage and departure times comply with the regulations.
• When a child is not performing, including between performances, the chaperone must provide supervision and ensure adequate meals, rest and recreation.
• The chaperone should accompany the child from the dressing room to the wings to await their entrance, and back to the dressing room when their part in the performance is over.