They should always remain in close contact with the organiser and licence holder who has a legal responsibility to safeguard the child. This should include parents / carers, the licensing authority for the child, the host authority (where performance or activity is taking place), any agents and the management of the company organising the event. Parents acting as chaperones will also need to carry out just that role while they are at the place of performance or rehearsal: if they want to watch a performance instead of remaining with the child, they will need another chaperone to stay with the child to meet the needs of the licence.Ī chaperone should have a 'key contact' list for each of the children in their care. They cannot also be members of the audience, work backstage, or be linked to any activity associated with the performance. Similarly, the chaperone can only do that job while looking after the children. They must avoid any actions - such as drinking alcohol or smoking while on duty, taking care of the child while under the influence of alcohol, wearing inappropriate clothing or using inappropriate language in front of the child - that could threaten the well-being of the child. This is also a child protection role: a chaperone needs to make sure the children are not left with other adults (except their parent or teacher) and must protect the child from being forced into anything they do not want to do, either as part of the performance or activity or off stage.Īs this role is entirely about safeguarding the child in their care, chaperones must behave appropriately while looking after the child. This champion role will also mean the chaperone making sure that a child who is not well is not expected to perform, and that breaks are not shortened by demands to be ready the moment the break ends. The chaperone must challenge behaviour and actions that they feel are not appropriate when children are involved and raise any worries about health, safety and risk in any area of the performance or activity. This also means that the child should be comfortable with the chaperone so that they can share any concerns. The chaperone must be the child's champion and advocate, standing up to any request that they believe is not in the child's best interests or which might adversely affect their health, well-being or education. General dutiesĪ chaperone's only duty is to the child, which comes above any other expectations or demands from any other person or employer. A chaperone can take charge of no more than twelve children at a time or, if they are also acting as a private teacher, no more than three. This is likely to include references, an up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (opens new window) check, and evidence of experience, qualifications and anything else which shows their ability and suitability to care for children. The council will also need to be satisfied that a chaperone is suitable and competent to take charge of the children. Those applying for approval as chaperones must be deemed suitable before they can carry out any duties of a chaperone. People wishing to be approved as chaperones should apply to the council. If a grandparent accompanies a child to an event, for example, then a chaperone will still be needed unless the grandparent has parental responsibility. However, this does not apply to other members of the child's family. If the child is being supervised or cared for by one of their parents, or by one of their usual teachers (for example, during a school production), then a chaperone is not required. The chaperone's top priority must always be the best interests of the child they are looking after, including their health, well-being and education, throughout the time of the performance or activity.Ī chaperone is needed where the child's parent or teacher is unable to supervise the child for the duration of the performance, rehearsal or activity. This applies whether the child is living at home or whether the child is away from home for a time. This cannot always be done by their parents, so the council will approve chaperones to look after the child and their best interests while they are involved in the performance or activity. Every child taking part in a performance or activity must be properly cared for and supervised at all times.
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