Apply for a chaperone licence

The Isle of Wight Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. It expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

You must be a resident of the Isle of Wight to apply for a licence, if you live in another area please check with your local council.

Apply for a volunteer or professional chaperone licence

All children from birth to statutory school leaving age must be chaperoned, if they are performing or rehearsing for a public performance. This can be either the child’s parent, legal guardian or a local authority registered chaperone. 

A performance licence may be required for any of the following activities:

  • television,
  • theatre,
  • film
  • amateur performance
  • sporting activities or
  • modelling.

You will need to apply for a chaperone license if

  • Applying for the first time.
  • Not renewed your licence within one month after your existing licence expired.

If you will be working in a professional capacity as a chaperone or are being paid to be a chaperone, you will need to apply for a professional licence.

If you are undertaking the chaperone role unpaid, you can apply for a volunteer licence. Please note that it is illegal to be paid for chaperone duties if you hold a voluntary DBS Certificate and chaperone licence.

Applying to renew your volunteer or professional chaperone licence

If you wish to continue to chaperone it is your responsibility to apply to renew your licence after it has expired. Renewal applications must be made within one month of your current licence expiring. After one month a new application will need to be made.

To apply to renew a chaperone licence you will need to apply to renew your existing licence and follow the renewal process.

What is the application process when I apply for the first time?

You will need to:

  1. Complete the online Chaperone Licence application form. Make sure you select the correct fee. If you are not sure please see 'What are the fees for a chaperone licence?' on this page.

  2. Complete a Child Workforce Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Only if you do not already hold one. If applicable, the link to complete a DBS will be sent to you following receipt of your application. 

  3. Provide us with original copies of three forms of ID. This is to enable us to verify your identity as part of the DBS application process, if applicable.   

  4. Provide contact details of two persons who can each supply a reference to support the application. One of whom should have known the applicant in a professional capacity. This cannot be solely through the organisation for which they wish to become a chaperone. One referee must be able to evidence the applicant’s successful working with children in either a professional or a voluntary capacity. Referees should have known the applicant for at least 2 years. They cannot be family, partner or partners family.  All Isle of Wight Council posts (paid or voluntary) will require references covering a minimum 5 years employment.  Where a gap or two weeks or more is identified, this must be covered by a character reference.

  5. Complete our 'How to be an Effective Chaperone' online training. We will provide you with details of how to access the training.

  6. Complete our online Level 1 ‘Safeguarding Children’ training.  We will provide you with details on how to access the training. If you already hold a valid certificate, you will be asked to provide us with a copy.

  7. Provide a passport size photo of the yourself. The photograph supplied will be used & stored for the sole purpose of providing a licence to act as a chaperone.

  8. Attend a short interview once the above steps have been completed.

For details about why and how we store your data please read our privacy notice.

What are the fees for a chaperone licence?

The current fees for a chaperone licence are as follows:

  • Volunteer - £25.00. £18.00 reduced price is payable if applicant is:
    • Part of DBS Update Service.
    • Or holds a current Enhanced Child Workforce DBS disclosure issued by the Isle of Wight Council. For example, you are a current IW Council employee.
  • Professional - £80.00. £33.00 reduced price is payable if applicant is:
    • Part of DBS Update Service.
    • Or holds a current Enhanced Child Workforce DBS disclosure issued by the Isle of Wight Council. For example, you are a current IW Council employee.

What happens after I submit my application?

Once the application has been completed and we have received satisfactory references we will contact you to arrange a time for your interview. Interviews are held on a fortnightly basis online via Microsoft Teams

What is the length of the application process to be a chaperone?

We cannot guarantee a timescale for issuing a chaperone licence but you should apply at least 12 weeks prior to the date the licence is required. Your chaperone licence will be posted to you when we have:

  • completed all the necessary checks
  • received your references
  • received your completed DBS check
  • had confirmation that you have completed the Chaperone and Child Safeguarding training modules

The chaperone licence is valid for three years from the date of issue. During your licence period you must complete an annual declaration. This is to confirm that your status has not changed since your application. The annual declaration form will be emailed to you each year after your licence was first issued. If the form it is not returned within the specified time, your chaperone licence will be revoked and you will no longer be able to chaperone.

Do I need to complete training to be a chaperone?

The council has a statutory duty to protect children who are engaged in the performance industry. Chaperones act on behalf of the licensing authority and work to safeguard the health and well-being of children involved. We provide online chaperone training and child safeguarding training which explains the roles and responsibilities of a chaperone and information on child protection/safeguarding. This training is mandatory for chaperones and must be completed before your licence can be issued.

What is the application process to renew my volunteer or professional chaperone licence?

You will need to:

  1. Complete the Renewal Chaperone Licence application form.
  2. Complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check or confirm that have a current child workforce Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) registered with the DBS update service.
  3. Complete our 'How to be an Effective Chaperone' online training. We will provide you with details on how to access the training.
  4. Complete our ‘Safeguarding Children’ online training if you do not already hold a valid child safeguarding certificate. 
  5. Supply one passport size photo of the applicant. The photograph supplied will be used and stored for the sole purpose of providing a licence to act as a Chaperone.
  6. If you require a DBS check you will need to provide us with original copies of your ID documents. Three forms of ID are required, from a list that we will send you. This helps us to verify your identity as part of the DBS application process.  If you hold a current child workforce Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) registered with the DBS update service you will be asked to show us your original certificate.  You will be asked to complete an ID check so we can verify these documents.

For details about why and how we store your data please read our privacy notice.

What are the renewal fees for a chaperone licence?

The current fees for a chaperone renewal licence are as follows:

  • Volunteer - £15.00.  £5.00 reduced price is payable if applicant is:
    • Part of DBS Update Service. 
    • Or holds a current Enhanced Child Workforce DBS disclosure issued by the Isle of Wight Council. For example, you are a current IW Council employee.
  • Professional - £65.00. £10.00 reduced price is payable if applicant is:
    •  part of DBS Update Service.
    • or holds a current Enhanced Child Workforce DBS disclosure issued by the Isle of Wight Council. For example, you are a current IW Council employee

If you are unsure whether you are part of the DBS Update Service please contact us using the details found in our contact us section. Please do this before submitting the renewal application form.

Please be aware that once the application form has been submitted a refund cannot be guaranteed. No refunds will be given in the instance of a refused chaperone licence.

After submitting your application to renew your licence

Once your renewal application has been submitted, you will receive an email from us within seven working days. You will need to complete all steps within four weeks of your application. If you have not completed them within these timescales we reserve the right to withdraw your application without refund. No refunds will be given in the instance of a refused chaperone licence.

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