Information for chaperones

If you wish to look after a young person taking part in a performance, and you are not the parent or guardian, you are legally required to get a licence. A chaperone should give the same kind of care which a good parent might be reasonably expected to give that child.

To apply for a licence, you must:

• Be 18 years old or over
• Have a valid South Tyneside DBS certificate. You will need to get clearance by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This is an online process and free for volunteers. Please email DBS@southtyneside.gov.uk and request a link to the online application. You will also need to request a date and time to take your ID documents into Hawthorne Building, Jarrow, NE32 3DP. Once you have completed this process, a certificate will be posted to your address. It could take up to 6 weeks for a new DBS.
• Have an up to date safeguarding certificate. If you don't have one you will be required to register and complete the e-learning safeguarding module "Safeguarding Everyone Level 1". To register, please see E-learning.
• Complete an application form, see chaperone information and application pack. This also includes information about the role, duties and responsibilities of a chaperone.
• Complete and sign the Chaperone code of conduct agreement form.
• Once you have completed your safeguarding module and have your DBS certificate, you need to email copies of them to SYP@southtyneside.gov.uk along with:
  • your chaperone approval application
  • a head and shoulder picture of yourself (this can be taken with a mobile device)
  • your completed chaperone code of conduct form
• Attend a training session on the role of a chaperone. For details about the next available session (dates are non-negotiable and maybe through Teams video link) please contact SYP@southtyneside.gov.uk

For more guidance on chaperone licences, see the Chaperone approval policy.