www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Responsibilities of a Chaperone
This page gives the full details of responsibilities for a Chaperone.
- A Chaperone's first priority is always to the child.
- A Chaperone is the key person to whom the child looks to for guidance, protection, clarification and support.
- One of a Chaperone's greatest strengths is their ability to negotiate with the production company 'on site' and be able to say no when what is being requested of the child is contrary or detrimental to either the child's health, well being and/or education. For example, requesting a child to stay at a place of performance over and above the hours/times laid down in either the child's licence or the regulations, lack of education time, and so forth (contact the Local Education Authority if you experience difficulties here).
- At no time should a child perform if unwell.
- Chaperones should keep a note of important contacts, for example, their Licensing Authority, the child's Licensing Authority, the Local Authority in whose area the child is performing, the child's Agent and the child's Parent/Legal Guardian.
- The maximum number of children chaperones are allowed to have in their care at any one time is 12. But, in a lot of instances this will be too many (diverse mixture of ages requiring more concentrated supervision and so forth). We recommend 8 children to be the maximum in many cases.
- The child should not perform if a licence has not been granted, unless they fall within the exemption period.
- Chaperone's should not presume that a child is licensed. Always ask to see a child's Licence upon arrival at a place of performance.
- If the production company cannot prove that a child is licensed, Chaperone's should contact the child's LEA urgently, otherwise a contravention may have occurred.
A chaperone will need to be familiar with the information contained in the broadcast tables below.
Production companies are required to log certain activities during a performance i.e. arrival and departure times at the place of the performance. In many cases this task is designated to the chaperone who completes the forms and submits them to the company at the end of each day.
Contact Details
By Post
Area Business Services (WEST)
Children and Families Branch
County Hall, East
TROWBRIDGE
Wiltshire BA14 8JQ
By Telephone
01225 773500
By Fax
01225 773535
By Email
childemployment@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Post
LET (North & Kennet)
Children and Families Branch
10 Prince Maurice Court
Hambleton Avenue
DEVIZES
Wiltshire
SN10 2TP
By Telephone
01380 720721
By Fax
01380 721800
By Email
childemployment@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Post
LET (South)
Children and Families Branch
Wilton Rooms
The Hollows
Wilton
SALISBURY
Wiltshire
SP2 0JE
By Telephone
01722 743907
By Email
childemployment@wiltshire.gov.uk
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 8.45 – 17.20
Friday 8.45 – 16.20
