Chaperone licence
All children taking part in a licensed performance must be supervised by a registered chaperone or their parent/guardian.
A chaperone can look after up to 12 children at one time and should give the same care a parent would give.
They are responsible for:
- ensuring the child has enough breaks and meals
- taking action if the child is ill, upset or tired
- considering health and safety issues
- safeguarding issues
- adhering to legislation relating to child performance
- assisting costume changes, dressing and fitting microphones
- escorting children at all times, including to the toilet.
You must allow at least 6 weeks for the application process and follow the steps and guidance below carefully.
Your licence will last for 3 years from the date of issue. Kent County Council (KCC) will not issue your licence for more than 3 years as your licence must run concurrent to your DBS which is only valid for a period of 3 years. This is KCC policy. It is your responsibility to reapply after your licence expires at the end of the 3 year period.
Apply for a chaperone licence
You will need to complete all steps within 4 weeks of your application. If you go over timescales we reserve the right to cancel your application.
Read our guidance for further assistance (PDF, 179.4 KB).
When applying for a chaperone licence, you will be required to:
- provide full and accurate contact details for 2 referees who have known you for longer than 2 years, and are not related to you
- upload the documents for your DBS verification.
Accepted documents
As part of the application form, you'll be asked to upload 3 documents in total, one must include your current address.
You'll need to upload:
- a current valid passport
- a UK biometric residence permit
- a current UK driving licence photocard (full or provisional)
- a birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth
- an adoption certificate.
You'll also need to upload 2 documents from this list (if you upload a passport from the first list, you cannot choose it as one of your documents from this list) :
- a current valid passport
- a biometric residence permit
- a current UK driving licence (full or provisional)
- a birth certificate
- an adoption certificate
- a marriage or civil partnership certificate
- mortgage statement (issued in the last 12 months)
- bank or building society statement (issued in the last 3 months)
- Council Tax statement (issued in the last 12 months)
- utility bill (issued in the last 3 months)
- benefit statement (issued in the last 3 months).
After submitting your application
When you submit your application, you'll get an email explaining:
- how to book your ID verification appointment
- how to access your course training.
Your training should be completed within 2 weeks of your account activation to avoid your application being cancelled. Each module will take you around 40 minutes and you must pass the test with a score of 80% or higher.
You will be completing the following training:
- Children’s Safeguarding for Chaperones
- The Role of the Chaperone.
DBS checks
You will be sent an email within 1 week of submitting your application with details of how to apply for your DBS check. If you have not received details, please check your junk mailbox.
Once you have completed your online DBS application, your ID must be verified within 4 weeks.
You need to present with your ID and the correct documents at the location and time you selected on your application form. For more information read the national government DBS guidance.
Please note: Due to COVID-19, once you have submitted your application you need to email childemploymentandentertainment@kent.gov.uk to request a time and date for your ID check.
References
We will need 2 references, please ensure you provide accurate contact details for your referees and ask them to respond promptly when they receive the reference form.
Once approved
A chaperone information pack (PDF, 365.5 KB) is available to support your learning of the chaperone role, and as a future reference tool once you are issued with a licence.
If you're applying for a professional chaperone licence you will need to pay us £75. This payment must be received before the licence is issued.
Payment details are on the chaperone application form, if you need any assistance with making your payment please email the CEE team ChildEmploymentandEntertainment@kent.gov.uk.
Changing your address details
If you have changed address, we will need to send you a replacement card. The updated card costs £15.
To change your address and for details on how to pay, email ChildEmploymentandEntertainment@kent.gov.uk.