Child licensing
Chaperones in entertainment
Children taking part in entertainment must be looked after by an adult chaperone, who is either the child's parent or a person approved by the Local Authority where the applicant lives. Further information about the roles of chaperones and tutors can be found on our information page.
If you are coming into contact with children and vulnerable people, Cheshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership advise watching our 'Safeguarding Everyone' animation and consider the following:
- ask yourself 'how you would respond in these situations?'
- think about situations that you may come across in your role
- who would you speak to if you had a concern for a child or adult’s welfare?
To apply for a chaperone licence, you must be at least 21 years old and a resident of Cheshire West and Chester to be approved by this local authority as a chaperone. If you live in another local authority area you will need to contact your home authority for further information on their application process.
As part of the application process we are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a Social Service records check as well as determining their physical wellbeing.
Please ensure you have the following available before starting the application process:
- all your personal information to hand e.g. name, address, date of birth, NI Number, previous address and surname history, email address etc.
- full details including email addresses of two referees who can provide a personal reference with examples of you working with children (these cannot be your relative or partner)
- a headshot photograph of yourself ready (this can be taken on a phone if it is able to be downloaded and saved)
- three identity documents e.g. passport, driving licence, birth certificate, marriage certificate, utility bills (you will need to upload three different types of identification - group 1, group 2a and group 2b)
- passport (any nationality)
- current photocard driving licence - UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands (full or provisional)
- biometric residence permit
- adoption certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
- birth certificate (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
- current driving licence (full or provisional) / paper version (if issued before 1998). UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands
- current driving licence photocard (full or provisional). All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
- marriage/civil partnership Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
- HM Forces ID card (UK)
- firearms licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
Must be less than three months old:
- central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC (UK & Channel Islands)
- bank or building society account opening confirmation letter (Issued in the UK)
- bank or building society statement (UK and Channel Islands)
- bank or building society statement (countries outside the UK - The branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works )
- benefit statement e.g. child allowance, pension (issued in the UK)
- credit card statement (UK)
- utility bill (not mobile phone) (UK)
Must be less than 12 months old:
- council Tax Statement (UK and Channel Islands)
- financial statement, for example pension or endowment (UK)
- mortgage Statement (UK)
- P45/P60 statement (UK and Channel Islands)
Can be more than 12 months old:
- letter of Sponsorship from future employment provider (Non-UK only - valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application)
- EEA National ID card
- cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK and Channel Islands)
- letter from Head Teacher or College Principal of a UK institution - only to be used by 16 to 19 year olds in full time education if other documents cannot be provided
- current passport card showing that the holder is a national of the Republic of Ireland (cannot be used with an Irish passport)
- letter from Head Teacher or College Principal (16/19 year olds in full time education - UK only - we will only use this in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided)
Please note: we are unable to accept any documentation from the internet
What happens next?
Once we receive your application we will check that all information is correct, and if there is any missing information the application will be rejected. We will contact you to request further information.
If your application is accepted you will receive confirmation via email which will include the booking details for your training workshop on the roles and responsibilities of being a chaperone in entertainment.
Please note: if the chaperone proves unsuitable, we may withdraw approval
After your training, details will be given to pay the £9 volunteer fee or the £51 professional fee for the DBS check. Once we have completed our side of the DBS check, you will receive a further email asking you to complete your part of the DBS check. When the DBS checking process has been completed we will contact you to arrange an appointment to view your DBS certificate and identity documents in person.
After your documents and DBS certificate has been checked and verified, we will issue your Chaperone ID Badge and covering letter by post.
The approval of your licence will be valid for a three year period, after which you will need to renew your licence.
