Chaperone licences and the 1:12 limit
A licensed child must be supervised by a council-approved chaperone unless a parent or their teacher is looking after them. One chaperone can look after at most 12 children at a time, or 3 if they’re also the child’s private teacher.
Last checked 28 October 2026
The rule
Regulation 15 of the England regulations says the council that grants the licence approves the chaperone, and “the maximum number of children a chaperone may take care of at any one time” is twelve. The DfE notes the limit is a maximum; councils often expect fewer depending on ages and the venue.
Start early
Chaperone approval needs an enhanced DBS check and references, and it’s slow. Some councils’ own estimates:
| Council | What they say |
|---|---|
| Hampshire | Chaperone licences: allow at least 12 weeks. Volunteer £25, professional £80. |
| Hertfordshire | Organisations can join Hertfordshire’s DBS umbrella body for chaperone and BOPA DBS checks (no charge to join; checks are pay-as-you-go). |
| Staffordshire | Chaperone licences carry a £25 admin fee. |
| Leeds | Chaperone licences: £21.50 volunteer, £70 professional from 1 January 2026; allow 12 to 16 weeks. |
| Cambridgeshire | Chaperone licences take 8 to 12 weeks. New volunteer licence £40 including DBS and training. |
| Gloucestershire | Chaperone licences: volunteer £20, professional £60. |
If you’re putting on a Christmas show and haven’t got enough chaperones yet, the October half-term is about the last sensible moment to start.
Keep the rota under 12
The free chaperone rota sheet has 12 lines per chaperone per session, so you can’t overfill it by accident.
Questions
Can a parent chaperone their own child?
Yes. A child under the direct supervision of their own parent doesn’t need a licensed chaperone. Looking after other people’s children needs a licence.
How long does a chaperone licence last?
It varies by council. Leeds says 3 years; Staffordshire’s badges also run for three years.
Sources
- England Regulations 2014, regulation 15 (chaperones, up to 12 children each) (checked 28 October 2026)
- DfE departmental advice: child performance and activities licensing legislation in England (Feb 2015) (checked 28 October 2026)
Beginners Call is an information tool, not legal advice. It reads the law the way the Department for Education’s advice does, but your council makes the decision. If in doubt, ask them.