Children taking part in film, television, theatre, commercials, modelling, paid sporting activities and other performances must be properly safeguarded.
Where a child is not accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, school teacher or home tutor, they must normally be supervised by a chaperone approved by a local authority (child employment on GOV.UK).
An approved chaperone plays an important role in protecting a child’s health, safety, welfare and wellbeing throughout rehearsals, performances and related activities.
Important: Please read this page before starting your application
Start your approved chaperone application
What is an approved chaperone?
An approved chaperone is an adult who has been assessed and approved by a local authority to supervise children taking part in performances and activities.
Approved chaperones act in loco parentis, meaning that they act in place of the child’s parent while the child is in their care. Their first responsibility is always the welfare of the child.
An approved chaperone must:
- safeguard the child’s health, safety and wellbeing
- supervise children appropriately at all times
- ensure the conditions of any Child Performance Licence or Body of Persons Approval are followed
- ensure children receive the required meals, breaks and rest periods
- protect children from unnecessary physical or emotional risks
- challenge unsafe or inappropriate working practices
- keep the records required by legislation
- report safeguarding concerns promptly
- prevent a child from continuing if they believe it is not in the child’s best interests.
An approved chaperone’s responsibility is to the child, not to the production company, performance organiser, school or activity provider.
Before you apply
Before starting your application, make sure you:
- have read the documents in the download centre below
- understand the role and responsibilities of an approved chaperone
- have checked whether you are subscribed to the DBS Update Service
- understand the safeguarding checks that will be undertaken
- have allowed enough time for your application to be processed
- are ready to pay the relevant application fee
Several checks must be completed before approval can be granted.
Who can apply?
You must be aged 18 or over to apply.
Approval is not automatic. Salford City Council must be satisfied that you are suitable to safeguard and supervise children.
Working as a teacher, social worker, healthcare professional or in another role involving children does not automatically qualify you to act as an Approved Chaperone. You must complete the chaperone approval process and receive written confirmation before undertaking the role.
Types of chaperones
Volunteer approved chaperones
A volunteer chaperone carries out the role without receiving payment for their chaperoning duties. This may include supporting a school, dance school, theatre group, amateur dramatic society or community organisation.
Professional approved chaperones
A professional chaperone receives payment for carrying out chaperoning duties, either through employment, self-employment or as part of a business.
Application fees
There is a fee for processing an approved chaperone application:
- Volunteer approved chaperone: £20
- Professional approved chaperone: £69.50
The appropriate fee will be taken when you submit your online application.
Your application will not be processed until payment has been received.
Contact the Child Employment and Entertainment Team before applying if you are unsure which fee applies to you.
Checks carried out by the council
Salford City Council must be satisfied that every applicant is suitable to safeguard children.
The approval process may include:
- an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for working with children
- checks with Children’s Social Care
- Local Authority Designated Officer enquiries, where appropriate
- identity verification
- consideration of relevant convictions, cautions or safeguarding information
- assessment of your suitability to undertake the role
- completion of relevant safeguarding or chaperone training
Approval will only be granted when the council is satisfied that the required checks have been completed and that the applicant is suitable to act as an approved chaperone.
Why safeguarding checks are necessary
Approved Chaperones are entrusted with the supervision and protection of children while they are away from their parents or legal guardians.
DBS and Children’s Social Care checks help the Council assess whether an applicant is suitable to undertake this responsibility.
These checks are a standard part of the approval process.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
Applicants are required to obtain an appropriate Enhanced DBS Certificate for working with children.
After receiving your application, we will tell you whether you need to complete a new Enhanced DBS application. Where a new application is required, you will receive instructions by email. You must complete the DBS application and attend a local Gateway centre for identity verification.
Existing certificates will be considered individually. An additional DBS application may not be necessary where:
- you hold an appropriate Enhanced DBS Certificate for working with children and are currently subscribed to the DBS Update Service
- you work for Salford City Council and hold a recent, valid physical DBS Certificate that the Council can accept
- you chaperone for Salford Community Leisure and hold a recent, valid certificate that the Council can accept.
An existing certificate is not automatically accepted.
Further information about the role and work of the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Are you on the DBS Update Service?
You should only answer Yes to this question if you can provide all of the following:
- your original Enhanced DBS Certificate
- evidence that the certificate is currently subscribed to the DBS Update Service
- confirmation that the certificate is for working with children
Many applicants believe they are registered with the DBS Update Service because they work as a teacher, social worker, healthcare professional or in another role involving children. This is a common misunderstanding.
Having an Enhanced DBS check through your employer does not automatically mean that you are subscribed to the DBS Update Service. Registration is optional and is the responsibility of the individual certificate holder.
If you are unsure about any of these requirements, select No.
Selecting Yes when you cannot provide the necessary evidence is likely to delay your application.
Important: DBS Update Service
Only answer Yes if:
- you have your original Enhanced DBS Certificate
- the certificate is currently subscribed to the DBS Update Service; and
- the certificate covers work with children.
Select No if you cannot confirm all three requirements.
DBS information and guidance
The DBS Update Service allows an organisation, with the certificate holder’s consent and where legally entitled, to check the current status of an existing Standard or Enhanced certificate.
Criminal convictions and other relevant information
You must disclose the convictions, cautions, warnings or other information requested in the application.
Failure to disclose relevant information may result in:
- your application being rejected
- an existing approval being suspended or revoked
All applicants are assessed fairly on their individual merits and circumstances. Having a conviction does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an approved chaperone.
Information provided will be treated confidentially and used only for the assessment and administration of your application, safeguarding purposes and other lawful functions.
Children’s Social Care and safeguarding checks
As part of your application, Salford City Council must be satisfied that you are suitable to work with and safeguard children.
Checks will therefore be completed with Children’s Social Care.
You will be asked to provide details of:
- your current partner, where applicable
- children living in your household
- your dependent children
This information is requested solely to enable the necessary safeguarding enquiries to be completed.
The checks may consider whether:
- you, your partner or someone in your household is known to Children’s Social Care
- a child has been or is currently subject to a Child Protection Plan
- a child has been or is currently subject to a Child in Need Plan
- a child has previously been removed from your care
- a child is currently looked after by a local authority
- there are current or previous safeguarding concerns relevant to your application
- there have been any Local Authority Designated Officer allegations or investigations involving you
- there is other safeguarding information relevant to assessing your suitability
Providing this information does not automatically prevent you from becoming an Approved Chaperone. Each application is considered on its own merits, taking account of all available information and relevant circumstances.
Information provided and obtained during the checks will be handled confidentially and in accordance with data protection legislation.
Your application cannot proceed unless you consent to the safeguarding checks.
Training and code of conduct
Applicants must complete any safeguarding or chaperone training required by Salford City Council.
Once approved, you must:
- follow the Approved Chaperone Code of Conduct
- comply with child performance legislation
- follow the conditions of Child Performance Licences and Body of Persons Approvals
- keep accurate records
- report safeguarding concerns
- inform the council about changes that may affect your suitability
Approval may be suspended or revoked where an approved chaperone fails to meet the required standards.
How long will the application take?
Applications are processed as quickly as possible. However, approval cannot be granted until all required checks and assessments have been completed satisfactorily.
This may include:
- a new Enhanced DBS check
- verification of an existing DBS Certificate
- a DBS Update Service status check
- Children’s Social Care checks
- LADO enquiries, where relevant
- identity verification
- review of your supporting information
- completion of required training
Apply early
Processing times vary, the council relies on external checks and must consider all relevant information. Delays may occur where information is missing, a new DBS Certificate is required or further enquiries need to be completed.
You should submit your application at least eight weeks before you intend to start chaperoning.
Do not accept or undertake chaperoning duties until Salford City Council has confirmed your approval in writing.
Download centre
Read the documents below before submitting your application. Links marked external website will take you away from the Salford City Council website.
Chaperone Guidance Booklet (Adobe PDF format, 603kb)
The role of an Approved Chaperone, supervision, welfare, performance hours, breaks and legal responsibilities.
Approved Chaperone Code of Conduct (Adobe PDF format, 609kb)
The conduct, behaviour and professional standards expected of Salford-approved chaperones.
Schedule 3 Record Sheet – example (Microsoft Word format, 23kb)
An example of the statutory records that must be maintained for each child.
Section 39 Guidance (Adobe PDF format, 70kb)
Guidance about the duties, responsibilities and legal powers relevant to approved chaperones. Insert the direct document URL when published.
Best-practice and national guidance
Examples of Best Practice: Child Performance and Activities Licensing (Adobe PDF format, 426kb)
Best-practice guidance on licensing, BOPAs, risk assessments, chaperones, education, compliance and record keeping.
Department for Education – Child Performance and Activities: Licensing Legislation (external website)
Government advice for organisers, parents, local authorities, schools and others working with children in performances, paid sport or paid modelling.
National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (external website)
National information and good-practice resources relating to child employment, entertainment, licensing and chaperones.
Salford City Council – Children in entertainment
Local information about Child Performance Licences, Body of Persons Approvals and Approved Chaperones.
The best-practice guidance includes dedicated sections on the requirement for chaperones, chaperone responsibilities, local-authority approval and training, and record keeping.
Frequently asked questions
Can I chaperone before my application is approved?
No. You must not undertake chaperoning duties until Salford City Council has confirmed your approval in writing.
I already work with children. Do I still need to apply?
Yes. Employment as a teacher, social worker, healthcare professional or in another role involving children does not automatically make you an Approved Chaperone.
Will my employer’s DBS Certificate be accepted?
Not automatically. The Council will consider whether the certificate is at the appropriate level, covers work with children and can be checked through the DBS Update Service or accepted under the Council’s arrangements.
What happens if I answer the DBS Update Service question incorrectly?
You may be asked to provide evidence. Selecting Yes when you cannot provide the original certificate, evidence of a current subscription and confirmation that it covers work with children is likely to delay your application.
Can I work outside Salford after approval?
A chaperone approved by an English local authority may generally undertake chaperoning duties elsewhere in England. You must comply with the relevant licence or approval conditions and should check whether the responsible local authority or production requires any additional evidence.
What records must I keep?
Approved Chaperones may be responsible for recording matters including:
- the child’s arrival and departure times
- performance and rehearsal times
- rest and meal breaks
- education or tuition
- overnight accommodation
- illnesses, accidents or concerns
- details required by Schedule 3 of the 2014 Regulations
The records must be accurate and made available to an authorised officer when requested.
What should I do if my circumstances change?
You must tell Salford City Council promptly about a change that may affect your approval, including:
- a change of name, address or contact details
- an arrest, investigation, caution or conviction
- a safeguarding allegation or concern
- involvement with Children’s Social Care
- a change to your DBS Update Service subscription
- another matter that may affect your suitability.
Apply online
Before starting your application, make sure you have:
- read the documents in the Download Centre
- understood the role and responsibilities
- checked your DBS Update Service status
- gathered the information requested in the application
- allowed at least eight weeks for processing
- reviewed the relevant fee.
Start your approved chaperone application
Contact the team
Contact the Child Employment and Entertainment Team if you have questions about:
- whether you need to apply
- volunteer and professional applications
- DBS requirements
- the DBS Update Service
- Children’s Social Care checks
- supporting documents
- fees or processing times.
Email: childemployment@salford.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161 603 4350