Apply for a chaperone licence

Apply for a chaperone licence

Before you apply

You must apply and pay online. You should allow at least 12 weeks for your application to be completed.

Before using this service, check the following applies:

• You are a Bexley resident over 18 years of age.
• You can provide address and employment details for the past 5 years.
• You can provide the details of 2 independent referees known to you for at least 2 years and their contact details. You should inform your referees that we will contact them and check that they are comfortable providing a reference to us. Your referees will be automatically notified when you submit your application, so make sure you enter their email addresses correctly.
• You have all the required documentation ready to upload to the online form.
• You understand whether you need to apply for a new DBS check or provide an existing valid certificate

What you need to upload

When you apply online, you must upload the following.

• 1 primary photo ID document:
  • current valid passport
  • a UK biometric residence permit
  • a current UK driving licence photocard (full or provisional)
• 2 proofs of your address (scanned or photograph copy of an original letter received in the post):
  • mortgage statement issued in the last 12 months
  • bank or building society statement (issued in the last 3 months)
  • credit card statement (issued in last 3 months)
  • council tax statement (issued in the last 12 months)
  • utility bill - not a mobile telephone bill. Cannot be printed from an online account (issued in the last 3 months)
  • central or local government, government agency or local council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service or HMRC (issued in the last 3 months) in your name
• your National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children training certificate
  • If you have not completed this already, you can find the course details on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Learning website.
• a passport-style photo (portrait style with a plain background)
• if applying as a volunteer, a letter from your sponsoring organisation
• if applying with an existing DBS certificate, clear images of the full certificate

If any information is not visible, your application will be delayed and may be rejected. Fees are not refundable if any statement made in your application is found to be untrue.

File upload guidance

Take a clear photo

Use your phone camera to photograph the whole document. Make sure the document is in focus, well lit and fully in the frame.

If the file is too big

Large files are usually caused by zoom or high-resolution modes. To make the file smaller:

• move closer instead of zooming in
• crop the image to remove empty space
• upload a screenshot of the photo instead, these are usually smaller
• lower the photo quality in your camera settings

Lower your camera's photo quality

To lower your camera's photo quality:

• open the Camera app
• go to the camera settings or menu
• find the photo size, resolution or image quality setting
• choose a medium resolution or lower option

Before you upload

Check the file is a JPG or PNG. The total size of all files uploaded in one submission must be 25 MB or less.

What happens after you apply

1. We will review your application and documents.
2. We will contact your referees.
3. If you asked us to arrange your DBS check, we will send you instructions to complete the online DBS form.
4. You will be invited to attend a short interview and ID check.
5. We will decide your application once all checks, references and training requirements have been completed satisfactorily.

About the role

All children taking part in a licensed performance must be supervised by a licensed chaperone, their parent or carer with parental responsibility, or the teacher who would ordinarily provide their education.

We appoint licensed chaperones to safeguard children taking part in performances, rehearsals, and licensed activities. While a child is in your care, you act in place of a parent and must exercise the care that a good parent might reasonably be expected to give that child.

Key responsibilities

As a licensed chaperone, you will be expected to:

• Prioritise the child’s welfare at all times, ensuring their physical and emotional wellbeing while in your care
• Ensure suitable breaks, meals, and refreshments are provided in line with legal requirements and the child’s needs
• Monitor the child’s health and wellbeing, taking appropriate action if a child becomes unwell, upset, or too tired to continue
• Follow safeguarding procedures, including recognising concerns and reporting them in line with local authority guidance
• Ensure compliance with licence conditions and legislation, including permitted working hours, rest periods, and education requirements
• Be aware of health and safety, supporting safe working environments during rehearsals and performances
• Provide practical supervision and care, such as helping with costume changes or fitting microphones, while maintaining the child’s dignity and privacy
• Supervise children at all times while under licence, including escorting them to dressing rooms, performance areas, and toilet facilities
• Act in the child’s best interests, including challenging production staff or stopping a performance if necessary to protect the child’s welfare

A chaperone may supervise no more than 12 children at any one time. In practice, fewer may be appropriate depending on the children’s ages, needs, and the nature of the production.

This role carries legal responsibility. While the child is in your care, your duty to the child takes precedence over the wishes of parents, production companies, or directors.

For up-to-date guidance, please visit the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) website.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirements

All applicants must have a valid Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check. This must be undertaken by an employer, an individual cannot apply for an Enhanced DBS check for themselves.

Option 1: You already hold a valid Enhanced DBS certificate Upload the required evidence and, if applicable, give consent for us to carry out a status check through the DBS Update Service.

To check a DBS certificate is valid, you can log in to the DBS Update Service to view your details, but only if you registered with the service within 30 days of your previous certificate being issued and are currently subscribed.

Option 2: You need us to arrange an Enhanced DBS check Select the relevant service when applying, then complete the online DBS form we send you and attend any required ID verification appointment.

We recommend you select the service for us to arrange your Enhanced DBS check if you are not sure that you hold a valid certificate.

If you have asked us to arrange your DBS check, after you apply for your chaperone licence you must:

• Complete the online DBS application form using the link and instructions we will send you. Your chaperone licence application cannot be progressed until your DBS application has been completed. After completing the DBS form, you will be able to track the progress of your enhanced application.
• Send us a copy of your certificate before your interview, following the instructions we provide.
• Register for the DBS Update Service. You can join during the DBS application process using your application reference number, or within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps keep your certificate current for future status checks. If you do not subscribe/maintain the subscription and another DBS needs to be undertaken, you may be charged for the cost of a new application.

Interview at Bexley Civic Offices

If your application progresses, we will invite you to attend a short interview at Bexley’s Civic Offices at the preferred day and time you indicated in your online application. This helps us confirm your identity, discuss the chaperone role and responsibilities, and complete any outstanding checks. You must bring your original identity documents with you.

If you selected the service for the council to carry out the Enhanced DBS Check on your behalf, you must have emailed us a complete copy of your certificate before your interview.

Fees

If you will receive payment for your work as a chaperone, you must apply for a Professional licence.

You may apply as a Volunteer chaperone only if you meet all the following criteria:

• You are not in receipt of any payment except travel or other out-of-pocket expenses
• You are not on a work placement
• You are not enrolled on a course requiring you to act as a chaperone
• You are not in a trainee position leading to a full-time role or qualification

Renewing a chaperone licence

Your licence is valid for 3 years. We recommend applying to renew at least 12 weeks before it expires to avoid a break in approval.

You will need to complete the online application form and make payment again.