Policy overview
The code is not exhaustive in defining standards of conduct.
All chaperones working with children and young people have a crucial role to play in safeguarding their wellbeing. They have a unique opportunity to interact with children and young people both affirming and inspiring ways. This code has been produced to help chaperones establish safe and responsive environments which:
- safeguard young people
- reduce the risk of adults being unjustly accused of improper or unprofessional conduct
Principles
This code of conduct is written in accordance with:
- The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and 1963
- The Children (Protection at Work) Regulations 1998
- The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014
It is also based upon advice and guidance from the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE).
It applies to all chaperones working with children and young people in entertainment settings and who are licensed by Lincolnshire County Council.
Honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity
These must be the principles for all chaperones to perform their duties. Chaperones whose practices deviate from this code of conduct may bring into question their suitability to work with children and young people in the capacity of a chaperone.
This means that chaperones should:
- have a clear understanding about the nature and content of this document
- discuss any uncertainties or confusion with the local authority
- understand what behaviours may call into question their suitability to continue their role as a chaperone
Accountability
All chaperones are accountable to Lincolnshire County Council for their actions. They are required to comply with legislation, terms and conditions of performances licences and other guidelines.
All chaperones must notify the Lincolnshire child employment and entertainment team of any relevant convictions, adult cautions, allegations or other matters occurring during the period to which their licence applies.
Equalities
A commitment by all chaperones to implement equalities in all aspects of their work is fundamental to effective service provision and working relationships.
We will not tolerate discriminatory behaviour. The same professional standards should always be applied regardless of:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment and gender identity
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
Standard of dress and appearance
A chaperone's standard of dress and personal adornment must be appropriate to the work they undertake. We value and welcome diversity and will take account of ethnicity and religious dress requirements with sensitivity.
Power and position of trust
All adults working with children and young people are in a position of trust in relation to the young person in their care. A relationship between an adult and a child cannot be a relationship between equals. There is a potential for exploitation of and harm to vulnerable young people. Adults are responsible for ensuring that an unequal balance of power is not used for personal advantage or gratification.
All chaperones should always:
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries
- avoid behaviour that others might misinterpret
They should report and record any incident with this potential.
This means that chaperones should:
- not use their position to intimidate, bully, humiliate, threaten, coerce or undermine children or young people
- not use their status to form or promote relationships that are of sexual nature or which may become so
- understand the responsibilities, which are part of their chaperone role, and be aware that sanctions will be applied if these provisions are breached
- always act, and be seen to act, in the child's best interests
- avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motives and intentions
- take responsibility for their own actions and behaviours
Duty of care
Chaperones are accountable for how they:
- exercise authority
- manage risk
- use resources
- safeguard children and young people
Whether working in a paid or voluntary capacity, chaperones have a duty to keep children and young people safe and protect them from sexual, physical and emotional harm. Children and young people have a right to be treated with respect and dignity. It follows that trusted adults are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Failure to do so may be regarded as neglect.
Chaperones must not:
- leave the children and young people they are supervising alone with another adult (unless it is a licensed chaperone, their parent or tutor)
- allow them to leave the performance or rehearsal venue unescorted, unless in the company of their parent or an authorised adult
At no time should a child perform if unwell. If a child becomes ill or is injured while in the chaperone's charge, the parent or carer must be informed and medical assistance gained. In case of a serious illness or accident, the child should be taken to a hospital. The child's parent or carer and local authority should be informed immediately.
Safeguarding
It is everyone's responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all chaperones should make sure their approach is child centred. They should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
All chaperones need to be aware of possible abuse of children and young people. They have a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking appropriate action.
Information sharing is an important part of working with children and young people. Section 1.8 of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures sets out how information should be shared and situations in which it is important to not share with specific people.
Chaperones should be aware of their organisation's child protection and safeguarding policy, including procedures for dealing with allegations against adults. All allegations must be taken seriously and investigated in accordance with the local procedures and statutory guidance. Chaperones that are the subject of an allegation must inform the local authority that issued their licence.
If a chaperone has a safeguarding concern about a child, they should follow the procedures set out in our children's safeguarding policy. This includes directions on how and when to share information in such circumstances. Chaperones must contact children's services immediately where concerns relate to :
- sexual abuse
- forced marriage
- fabricated illness
This must be done without the knowledge of the parent or carer or those deemed to be perpetrators, as this may increase the risk posed to the child. Further information can be found in the Lincolnshire safeguarding children partnership procedures.
This means that chaperones should:
- be familiar with the organisation's child protection and safeguarding policy
- take responsibility for recording any incident and passing on information where they have concerns about any matter pertaining to any adult in the workplace
- record and report any disclosures regarding a young person to the designated safeguarding lead of the organisation.
- record and report any concerns, or allegations, about another adult to the local authority designated officer (LADO) in the local authority in which the incident has occurred
Social media
Chaperones must comply with the organisation's policy. They must ensure that any content they post complies with this policy.
This means that chaperones must:
- think about what they post and don’t say anything that would bring their role as chaperone into disrepute
- ensure not to 'friend', 'follow' or accept 'friend requests' from children and young people they are or have worked with. This includes communication via:
- social media
- text messaging
- websites and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat
- inform the designated safeguarding lead immediately if they become aware that a child is being groomed online or that they have suspicions this may be the case
Mobile phones, photographs and videos
Working with children and young people may involve the taking or recording of images. Any such work should take place with due regard to the law and the need to safeguard the privacy, dignity, safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
No phones should be used in changing rooms or personal space by chaperones. Chaperones should not be taking photographs on their own equipment or approach cast members for autographs or photos.
This means that chaperones should:
- be clear about the purpose of the activity and what will happen to the images when the activity is concluded
- ensure the child or young person:
- understands why the images are being taken
- has agreed to the activity
- is appropriately dressed
- report any concerns about any inappropriate or intrusive photographs
Access to inappropriate images on the internet
There are no circumstances that will justify adults possessing indecent images of children. Adults who access and possess links to such websites will be viewed as a significant and potential threat to children. Accessing, making and storing indecent images of children on the internet is illegal. This will lead to a criminal investigation and the individual being barred from working with children and young people if proven.
Adults should not use equipment belonging to the organisation where they work or volunteer to access adult pornography. Neither should personal equipment containing these images or links to them be brought into the place where they are carrying out their chaperone role.
Chaperones should ensure that children and young people are not exposed to any inappropriate images or web links. Chaperones need to ensure that internet equipment used by children and young people have the appropriate controls regarding access.
Where indecent images of children or other unsuitable material are found, the police and local authority designated officer (LADO) should be immediately informed. Adults will be informed not to investigate the matter or evaluate the material themselves. This may lead to evidence being contaminated which in itself can lead to criminal prosecution.
Conflicts of interests, gifts, rewards and favouritism
Infatuations
- report and record any incidents or indications that suggest a child or young person may have developed an infatuation with an adult in the workplace
- always acknowledge and maintain professional boundaries when working with children and young people
Use of information and confidentiality
Chaperones may have access to confidential information about children and young people in order to undertake their responsibilities. In some circumstances, they may have access to or be given highly sensitive or private information. These details must be kept confidential at all times and only shared when it is in the interests of the child to do so. Such information must not be used to intimidate, humiliate or embarrass the child or young person concerned.
If a chaperone is in any doubt about the sharing of information and its confidentiality, they should seek guidance from a senior member of staff or the organisation's designated safeguarding lead.
The storing of information about children and young people is governed by the Data Protection Act 1998. Organisations should provide clear advice to chaperones about their responsibilities under the legislation. Read our Children's and families services privacy notice under GDPR principles.
Whilst chaperones need to be aware of the need to listen and support children and young people, they must also understand the importance of not promising to keep secrets. Neither should they request this of a child or young person under any circumstances.
Concerns and allegations about an adult should be treated as confidential and passed to the designated safeguarding lead without delay. If necessary, the LADO must also be informed.
This means that chaperones should:
- be clear about when information can be shared and in what circumstances it is not appropriate to do so
- treat information they receive about a child in a discreet and confidential manner
- seek advice from the designated safeguarding lead if they are in doubt about sharing information they hold or which has been requested of them
- know to whom any concerns or allegations should be reported
Conduct outside work
Chaperones working with children and young people have a responsibility to maintain public confidence in their ability to safeguard the welfare and the best interests of children and young people. It is expected that they will adopt high standards of personal conduct in order to maintain the confidence and respect of the public and all those they work with.
There may be times, for example, when an adult behaviour or actions in their personal life come under scrutiny from local communities, the media or public authorities. This could be because their behaviour is considered to compromise their role as chaperone and their suitability to work with children and young people. Misuse of drugs, alcohol, social media or acts of violence would be examples of such behaviour. Chaperones looking after children and young people should understand and be aware that safe practice involves using judgement and integrity about behaviours in places other than the work setting.
The behaviour of a chaperone's partner or family member may raise similar concerns. We would consider carefully whether there may be a potential risk to the children and the young people that the chaperone has responsibility for.
Chaperones should always consider whether their actions are safe, warranted, proportionate and applied equitably.
This means that chaperones should:
- be aware that behaviour in their personal lives may impact upon their role as a chaperone
- understand that behaviour and actions of their partner, or other family members, may raise questions about their suitability to continue their role as chaperone
- be vigilant in maintaining their privacy and mindful of the need to avoid placing themselves in vulnerable situations
- be mindful of the need to maintain professional boundaries
- refrain from asking children and young people to undertake personal jobs or errands
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is the mechanism by which adults can voice their concerns made in good faith, without fear or repercussion. Each organisation should have a clear and accessible whistleblowing policy that meets the terms of the Public Interest Disclosure 1998.
Adults who use the whistleblowing procedure should be made aware that their employment rights are protected. Chaperones should acknowledge their individual responsibilities to bring matters of concern to the attention of senior management to the organisation they are working or volunteering for or relevant external agencies. This is paramount when the welfare of children may be at risk.
This means that chaperones should:
- report any behaviour by colleagues that raises concern regardless of source
Identity card
Chaperones must have their chaperone licence identity (ID) card with them at all times when 'on duty'. Chaperones may be asked to show their ID card if an authorised officer from the local authority visits the premises to carry out an inspection.
It is the responsibility of the chaperone to dispose of their ID card appropriately when the expiry date is reached.
Compliance with the chaperone code of conduct
Failure to adhere to this code of conduct could lead to the chaperone licence being suspended and or revoked.
We reserve the right to take legal action against chaperones where breaches of the code warrant such action.
All chaperones will either work or volunteer for an organisation. We will report breaches to the respective organisation, the local authority designated officer (LADO) and other local authorities when relevant.