Chaperone licence

Chaperones (also known as matrons) are responsible for safeguarding and ensuring the welfare of children taking part in entertainment. If you want to chaperone a child other than your own, you will need to hold a valid chaperone licence.

Responsibilities of a chaperone

The law states that the chaperone is acting in loco parentis (in place of the parent) and should 'exercise the care which a good parent might be reasonably expected to give that child'.

Chaperones cannot be employed in any additional role while on site. The job of a chaperone is to make the wellbeing of the child or children in their care a top priority through:

  • Ensuring that children are contented, occupied and focused
  • Being aware of health and safety issues
  • Responding appropriately to any illness or injury
  • Ensuring follow-through on educational provision
  • Having a thorough understanding of the child entertainment guidelines and regulations
  • Being ready and willing to speak up on behalf of the child to ensure that their needs are met and they are not put at risk, exploited, or asked to work contrary to guidelines

Apply for a chaperone licence

Applications for a chaperone licence should be made to the local authority (LA) in which you live. Anyone aged 18 or over can apply to be registered as a chaperone with Wandsworth.

All chaperones need to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which includes a check of the DBS barred lists for children.

To apply for a chaperone licence, you will need to: 

  • Complete an application form
  • Complete the NSPCC online training course 'Protecting Children in Entertainment training for Chaperones' before your licence can be approved. There is a cost to you of £25 for the training
  • Send your application form and a copy of your training certificate to us by post or email and include a clear passport sized photograph of yourself. Please ensure you sign and date the application form
  • Complete an online DBS application form. You will be sent a link to the website and details of how to access the DBS form once we receive your application. A cost of £46 will apply to carry out DBS checks for all professional chaperones and £12 for all volunteers (if you meet the DBS definition of a volunteer) for which you will be invoiced
  • Prove identity by showing three types of ID - (originals only accepted) in person, at a time agreed with an Officer from the Education Welfare Service or Human Resources Section. If you subscribe to the DBS Update Service you only need to supply a photocopy of your Enhanced Disclosure with your chaperone application form

Once we have received a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure (which can take from two to six weeks) and two satisfactory references, we will contact you to collect your licence (in the form of an ID badge) which will be valid for three years. Please note: we are not allowed to post this to you.

You must let us know of any changes to your circumstances or address, which may invalidate your registration.

Renew a chaperone licence

To renew a chaperone licence, you will need to:

  • Complete the application form for renewal of licence.
  • Follow the same process for applying for a chaperone licence. You only need to include a new clear passport sized photograph of yourself if you prefer to do so.  

If your chaperone licence has expired for 12 months or more, you will be expected to complete a new application form.

More information

If you are interested in becoming a chaperone, want more information, or are planning to begin the application process contact the Education Welfare Service:

Education Welfare Service
The Town Hall Extension
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PU

For more information on chaperone licences and related issues please visit the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE) website.

Up to Children licences

Updated: 10/05/2022